9/23/2010

Dear Editor,
Our Town of Olive Library - The Pillar of our society. A Library filled with literature for young and old - rich and poor. A library with available reference material in all imaginable fields of interest. Plus - collections of musical and artistic works to focus on special interests. All of this for all of us!
Have you truly made use of our multi purpose library on Route 28A in our Town of Olive? Have you been to any of the special programs, plays, movies, concerts, provided by the dedicated full time and voluntary staff? Have you taken advantage of our library's capability to obtain a vast variety of books via the Mid Hudson Library System? Have you accessed the library computers, CD's DVD's Wi-Fi's?
As a former educator, having been a Teacher and Principal in the NYC Public School System, I savor the fact that we have such an excellent library facility in our town. We can and should be proud of our library that far outshines those in neighboring towns. In these dire financial times, we must all step up and go the extra mile to assure that our library will continue to service all of us now and for all the years to come. Our future generation depends on us.
With all of this said - now you know my feelings about how wonderful our library is and what a vital resource it is to our community. I urge you to support the Chapter 414 Resolution on Election Day - to help keep our Olive Free Library active and current.
Nancy Schuckman
Krumville, NY
Dear Editor,
Over the past 30 years my family has been privileged to partake of the services offered us by our local library. The Olive Free Library has offered us a wide variety of resources in addition to community support programs and performance venues. Many of their productions have been of "world class" caliber and their "in-house" music director Lisa Dippold-Menard has for years brought her magic to the younger children of Olive. All this, in addition to the oodles of books, DVD's, CD's, free wifi and even Wii games are made available to us all. Numerous art, craft, dance, exercise and rehabilitative programs are provided shelter there and as a retired teacher I've witnessed first hand the OLF providing both refuge and internet services to students who otherwise would have no access to these necessary tools.
This November I intend to cast my vote of support for our town's most valuable resource. The average household would spend $25 dollars/year (the cost of 2 movie tickets WITHOUT popcorn!-or 1 hardcover book). Should OFL continue to survive on the partial funding from our town board then several of these valuable services may no longer be available to us and ours. Let's let our library know just how valued they truly are!
Wini Baldwin Paetow
Olivebridge, NY
Dear Editor,
I was rather surprised to read William Kemble's story in the Daily Freeman on Tuesday, August 31, headlined "Auerbach raps Legislature." The statement made by Comptroller Auerbach that the Legislature has a "laissez-faire approach and hands-off governance style" is far from the truth. As a former educator, I have two lessons for Mr. Auerbach. The first is that you need to study the history of a situation before you speak. The second is to always do your homework so that you don't look like a fool, as you do now.
The UCRRA was created by the NY State Legislature in 1986. A legal agreement was signed by the County of Ulster and the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency in 1992, whereas the RRA would provide "the service of accepting and processing, and/or disposing of all Solid Waste and accepting, processing, and marketing of Regulated Recyclable Materials within the County in consideration for the payment by the County to the Agency for such service of Net Service Fees, if and to the extent required pursuant to the terms of the Agreement."
The overall goal of the agreement was to provide the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste in Ulster County. The second phase of the agreement was to provide environmental and cost effective solutions to the collection, transportation and processing of regulated recyclable materials. This plan was predicated on a flow control law which would provide the RRA with the required waste to operate at a cost effective level. The Carbone decision of 1993, however, judged the flow control law illegal. The original intent was to site a County Landfill within the boundaries of the County. This initiative failed between 1992 and 1997. No local municipality wanted a landfill within its boundaries. This action forced the RRA to establish two regional transfer stations: one in New Paltz to serve the southern portion of the County and one in the Town of Ulster to serve the northern portion. The RRA then had to collect solid waste at its two regional transfer stations and export it to privately and publicly owned landfills in New York State, at a major cost to County taxpayers.
In response to the Comptroller, I believe the Legislature has exercised oversight of the RRA. The Agency previously reported monthly to the Environmental Committee and now reports to the Government Services, Environmental and Administrative Committee. The Legislature will continue to monitor the situation, and look for ways to reduce the costs of running county government, but it is much easier to do so with the Comptroller and Executive assisting us.
I am surprised that once again the Comptroller failed to criticize the County Executive for demonstrating a lack of leadership in this regard, while serving as County Administrator for a Legislature controlled by Democrats, and for the last 18 months as County Executive. Auerbach has, once again, demonstrated why we need new leadership in the County Comptroller's office. We need someone who does not take their marching orders from the County Executive, but a truly independent Comptroller. The people of this County will see through this election year grandstanding. Mr. Auerbach, we all know the problems, why don't you try being part of the solution? This superficial piece of election year drivel offers no solution at all. In the future, before you speak, do your homework, identify the problem, and offer positive solutions with team spirit. This piece does none of the above.
The Net Service Fee is a charge to the County because the Agency does not generate sufficient income to offset the total cost of disposing of solid waste. The Agency has reduced the Net Service Fees over the last four years, as indicated in the Comptroller's report. It cost the Agency approximately $4.1 million last year to transport the solid waste to a landfill near Syracuse. Imagine the millions in savings if we could have sited a landfill in the County.
I am calling for the RRA and the Legislative Counsels to amend the original agreement to reflect the changes that have occurred with the loss of flow control and lack of a landfill. We must investigate the means to make the Agency self-sufficient and eliminate the Net Service Fee. The Agency's effort to continue to control expenses in this economic climate will help to reduce the NSF and, perhaps eliminate it.
I am also asking the Legislative Counsel to investigate the question of flow control and the possibility of new legislation to improve the financial conditions of the County.
Frederick J. Wadnola
Chairman, Ulster County Legislature
Ulster, NY
Dear Editor,
I have attempted to stay out of the fray in regard to the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency and the County Comptroller's report. Comptroller Auerbach claimed in his report that the Legislature has been lacking in their oversight with the UCRRA since its inception. Although there is validity to the report it certainly doesn't tell the whole truth.
It doesn't seem likely the UCRRA will ever be self sufficient simply because
there is no county facility that takes the trash, it is shipped to other counties, and that cost (net service fee) is charged to the County. That fact, along with the reality that the agency lacks the power to control the flow of trash generated within the County, makes it impossible to turn a profit, hence higher net service fees. But, as the Comptroller points out, the Legislature is charged to monitor the UCRRA's budget closely to assure the taxpayers pay the lowest net service fees possible.
During the 90s the Republican controlled Legislature had a laissez fare oversight. People like former Democrat Legislature Gary Bischoff from Saugerties constantly poured through the UCRRA budget with a fine tooth comb and attempted to keep the agency on its toes. One such thing Gary pointed out was that the Agency's attorney fees were nothing short of staggering compared to other counties. Charlie Shaw, the head of the agency at that time, would repeatedly cry it was politics and that the Democrat minority was just attempting to discredit the agency. Rather than admitting there may be a problem the Republican Legislature defended the UCRRA, ignored Gary's call for better oversight, and kept handing over higher and higher net service fees.
In January 2006-December 2009 when the Democrats controlled the Legislature I had the honor of serving as the Chairman. We worked with the Republicans as much as they were willing to work with us to make changes that would create what I called "Better Government at a Better Price".
The UCRRA was one of the agencies and departments that were considered in need of better oversight. One of my first acts as Chairman was to appoint Democrat Brain Shapiro from Woodstock to chair the Environmental Committee. One of the committee's charges was to oversee the UCRRA. Brian worked with Gary Bischoff, the Agency's Director Mike Bemis, and the UCRRA board to assure all spending was needed while constantly looking for more efficient ways to deliver the service.
That diligence brought about the lowest net service fees in the history of the agency, which in turn proves the Comptroller's point that better oversight of
the UCRRA can save money. The Comptroller could have drew attention in his report that the net service fees were the lowest under the Democrat controlled Legislature but instead he attempted to not have an appearance of politics so he issued a blanket report to warn what a lack of oversight could do.
The response from the present Chairman of the Legislature, Republican Fred Wadnola of Ulster, along with various members of the new Republican controlled Legislature, was nothing more than a resort to the same old tactics of screaming politics and claiming the Comptroller is just attempting to discredit the Legislature. This was the same argument used when the cost of the JAIL was being questioned as it was when the UCRRA was running up staggering bills. It is amazing how things never seem to change.
David B Donaldson
Ulster County Legislator
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
We are writing to let you know that we have enthusiastically endorsed Eric Schneiderman for New York State Attorney General. This was an easy decision for us to make because, as a lifelong progressive reformer, Eric has fought as an attorney, activist and lawmaker to deliver equal justice for all New Yorkers. Eric has the deepest, broadest and most diverse grassroots coalition in this race - it's a coalition that only a candidate devoted to fighting for equality and justice can build. Eric has been a strong leader for the interests of New York's hard working families from increasing the minimum wage, to championing the right to organize, to improving the worker's compensation system, to bringing good-paying green jobs to our state.
Eric will fight against corporate corruption on behalf of New Yorkers who have been victimized by big corporations, big banks, insurance companies and other special interests that don't play by the rules. He's been a leader in fighting corruption and abuse in state government. He authored the most sweeping ethics reforms in decades and led the charge to expel corrupt Sen. Hiram Monserrate after he was convicted of a domestic violence crime.
Schneiderman lead the fight to end the draconian Rockefeller Drug laws that wasted taxpayer dollars and devastated NY communities for decades.
Named one of the greenest senators in the state by EPL/Environmental Advocates, Eric is an unwavering supporter of environmental justice. He believes that every New Yorker has the right to clean air, safe drinking water and healthy communities to raise their children. Eric also believes that environmental protection and job creation must go hand in hand.
As The New York Times wrote in its endorsement, "We endorse Senator Schneiderman in the Democratic primary because of his sound judgment, legal expertise, political independence and long history of fighting for government reform."
Guy Kempe, Jennifer Fuentes,
Brian Shapiro, Jim Mays
Mid Hudson Valley
Working Families Party
Dear Editor,
In response to last week's letter, "The Mosque is Too Close," written by Pastor Donald Moore, the Senior Pastor of the Living Word Chapel here in West Hurley, perhaps the Pastor does not needs to be reminded of the literal definition of the word Pastor, which according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is , "a spiritual overseer; especially: a clergyman serving a local church or parish," but of the more accepted definition as one who not only teaches, guides individuals on a spiritual path, but also fosters the culture of peace both within the community and within ourselves.
Pastor Moore, how can a man, who claims to provide spiritual guidance and represent the teachings of Christ, be so lacking in tolerance by promoting the culture of hatred which is spreading like wildfire in this nation? What does one's commitment to the Qur'an and the Hadith have to do with one's commitment to this country? Is your definition of patriotism based on one's religious or spiritual path? Even the founding of fathers of this nation set out to separate the Church and the State. What would they think of your definition of Patriotism?
What do you mean when you say "...we have seen the work of committed Muslims." I assume you are not referring to the 9/11 terrorists as being committed Muslims. That would only serve to illustrate your lack of knowledge of the Islamic faith and what religious commitment truly means. After all, Pastor, as someone who would consider himself a committed Christian, and according to your definition of religious commitment, would that make you a terrorist as well? There is a big difference between being a person committed to his or her faith and a zealot. Calling the tragic events of 9/11 "their (Islam's) bold declaration of victory" is ignorant, hateful and false.
Need I remind you that every organized religion has mandated forced submission by various means? Why single out Islam? During the Crusades wasn't it Christians forcing other people's to submit to their faith?
Telling Muslims that they "need to become committed Americans," rallying people to reclaim Dearborn, Michigan just because it is the city in America with the largest Muslim population, citing the rise in Muslim Prison converts only serves to incite and contribute to America's shameful culture of hate. What would your "Prince of Peace - Jesus" say about this type of preaching? A man of peace would certainly want the entire world to live in harmony, despite any differences. Wouldn't he? Shouldn't you?
Jacqueline Stancarone
West Hurley, NY
Dear Editor,
It appears that whoever wrote your editorial is missing the point. I have yet to hear anyone opine that Muslims should not be allowed to practice their religion in New York City, or anywhere in the United States. Not one commentator of any political persuasion has said that there should be a law "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." I could argue that defending a religion on the constitutional grounds of the first amendment would in fact be defending the right to discriminate against women, (which in itself is a constitutional violation), but perhaps we can leave that discussion for another time. Would the president's faith be of concern to anyone if he was a practicing Muslim who believed women were second class citizens? I am going to guess yes, but again, let's leave that for another time.
Never in our history, has any major religious organization attempted to cause such hate and vitriol, on purpose or accidentally. Over 70% of the American people feel that an Islamic Center would be inappropriate at Ground Zero. It is, and would be, like rubbing salt in the wounds of the people of New York, and the families of those killed when the twin towers went down. It would be as appropriate as the Japanese building a Shinto Shrine over the Arizona, in 1949. It would be as appropriate as building a statue of Hitler, and erecting it next to a caboose in Port Royal, South Carolina, which contains a Monument to the Holocaust. It would be as appropriate as a Klan Rally and cross burning along side of every black church in the United States, every Sunday.
We are as a nation a very forgiving people, and that is a testament to us. Less than 70 years ago, we bombed parts of Germany and Japan back into the stone ages, yet today, how many drive automobiles made by a Japanese or German company? A black man was elected President of this nation, and won the majority of voters in many southern states. I deplore his politics, but applaud that we have overcome that hurdle. Maybe someday we will elect a person of Iraqi descent to the presidency, or drive a car made by a Saudi company, but I wonder what religion that claims it wants to unify, promote peace and understanding, in the shadow of some pretty horrid circumstances would really believe that this was the right thing do to, at this time?
It will take time for the wounds to heal, and we are not there yet. Americans do not care what religion their neighbors are, but it is not the time or place to build a Mosque at Ground Zero. It would in fact be far better that structures for commerce and business be built there, as it would point us back to a normalcy. I am not going to throw a party at my house, complete with a band and adult beverages, when my next door neighbor has had a death in the family and is in mourning. This is about respect, humility, and being a good neighbor, not the prohibition of the free exercise of religion.
Christopher A. Jones
Shokan, New York and
Beaufort, S. C.
Dear Editor,
To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, "There he goes again." The prince of anti-government paranoia, the sage of "non-sequitor, " the magician who turns opinion into fact. Who else could this be but Mitchell Langbert, an obviously learned man who has lost his way emotionally.
As the talented Gus Murphy said, "Where to begin?" Well , for one, Mr. Langbert's mid-August letter where he rants against making the Hudson Valley a national park. Never mind the grants, advertising and other incentives that would spur economic growth. No, he says the government would and eventually cost the people along the river. To prove his thesis, he uses New York State's Adirondack region. Making it a national park, he says, has impoverished the residents. Never mind that the area is remote, can't support agriculture, and has no year-round industry or public transportation to speak of. I guess Mr. Langbert would oppose making the Route 28 corridor a scenic byway for the same reasons!
IN his response to Gus Murphy in the July 29 issue he gives a mish-mosh of constitutional and political history to fit his ideology. Mr. Murphy correctly criticizes him for making vague and exaggerated generalizations. Teddy Roosevelt, the "trustbuster," originator of the graduated income tax and creator of the National Park system was a socialist?
The progressive and Conservative parties have changed labels many times, but one thing is certain: the conservative party was always the party of the rich, laissez-faire capitalism,anti civil-rights, anti labor unions, anti women's rights, anti Social Security, Medicare, minimum wage and regulation of corporations and banks (two depressions) - and it still is!
FDR "supported big business.... cloaked in rhetoric that sounded like it was supportive of labor" - Preposterous! Big business always fought to defeat him in his four elections. Progressives did not create the horrors of the inner cities; they were the result of companies that stuffed workers ( women and children too) in fetid, dangerous factories for near-starvation wages, of greedy slumlords and of bigotry against ALL minorities.
"Has America been getting greater since the progressives took power in 1904?" Despite what Mr. Langbert says, the answer is an unqualified YES. Since then America has become the richest, most powerful, and until recently the most educated country in the world.
Increasing income inequality, the Depressions (both of them), the stagnating hourly wage, the exodus of manufacturing, the massive increase of Wall Street's power and corruption. (The oil spill, of course, was the result of cancellation of regulations by Reagan and Bush - the child) These disasters were not caused by progressives, they are obviously the result of conservative policies ie.the tax cuts on the super rich, the global economy, etc.
Finally, in an Aug 26 letter, Mr. Langbert quotes an unnamed "local government official" as saying the average per-student cost at Onteora is $31,000 per year (yes, the Phoenicia School should have been closed). He goes on to say "assuming the $31,000 figure is accurate" "Assuming"? In a letter this damning of the school district, wouldn't a sane person have checked this figure before continuing? Continuing the lunacy, he goes on to compare that cost with the elite private schools of the Northeast, which cost somewhat less than $31,000. We know what is coming next: the Conservative mantra (a la Milton Friedman) in which schools compete for students in the free market. Then he says (seriously?) Onteora would have Beekman and the UN School in New York City. Quite a bus ride if parents in Onteora choose a NYC school!
In closing, I would surmise that Mr. Langbert is a member of the Tea Party. And I suppose he knows that it was founded and is financially supported by the Koch brothers ( two of the top ten richest men in America) ; Rupert Murdoch, the employer of those luminaries Glen Beck and Sarah Palin, and Dick Armey's "Freedom Works" front which promoted the recent Beck-Palin event in Washington, DC on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous civil rights speech. I suppose Mr. Langbert also knows that the policies of the Tea party favor the rich and corporations at the expense of the middle class.
If I seem to be fomenting class warfare - so be it!
Guido Giuliani
Hunter, NY
Dear Editor,
In 2007 The Business Council rated economic growth in the New York counties. Growth that matched the nation's average growth in five categories: jobs, average wages, total personal income, per-capita personal income and population received an A+. Those that lagged the nation's average in all five areas received an F. About half of New York's county's, including Ulster and Warren, received an F. There are many people satisfied with poverty. They vote for Democrats. Others are Democratic activists eager to accrue benefits to themselves but to impoverish others. Congressman Maurice Hinchey is in this latter category. He has produced "pork" for himself and his political cronies but given trichinosis to Ulster County's economy. Nationally, employment growth has been about 20 percent since Hinchey's election. Here in trichinosis-, or should I write Hincheynosis-, afflicted Ulster County, job growth since 1990 has been about zero. The same is true of Warrensburg, Murray Heller's Hinchitopia where on any winter morning the unemployed congregate in the local diner.
I appreciate Murray Heller's candor. Congressman Hinchey has generally attempted to paint himself as a moderate. Heller makes clear that he would like to see Hinchey do here what he has done to the Adirondacks. Heller also seems to imply that regulations on your eating habits are fair game for the Democratic Party's "moderates." Here in Ulster County Hinchey has broken up extended families because children cannot find jobs. Heller, writing from one of his two residences, makes clear that Hincheynosis has been good to him because he can enjoy beautiful views, free of pesky, lower class peasants who disagree with his progressive, Democratic Party religion and might run power saws that disturb him. As well, Heller considers me a simplistic "true believer" because I disagree. For Hinchey and Heller, politics is a religion and all who disagree must be damned.
In Natural Right and History (p. 184) Leo Strauss adumbrates the origin of the left's religious commitment to the state. It arises from the foundation of liberalism. Hobbes built on Machiavelli and converted the biblical notion of a state of pure nature and the fall with a possibility of grace to the Enlightenment notion of a state of nature characterized by natural right and the liberal equivalent of grace, a natural rights-based civil society. Building on Strauss's interpretation of Hobbes, the left's religious faith in the state travels through Hegel's providential laws of history to Marx's teleological messianism. The Bismarckian welfare state that was based on the socialization of Christianity and preceded Nazism by 40 years came to America through institutionalists (today called progressives) like Richard T. Ely and John R. Commons. Progressivism integrated the social Gospel with German historicism and American Populism, and when combined with Marx's atheism produced a new religion of state worship. This religion that Mr. Heller advocates suggests that any human activity is immoral and that nature must be preserved for the elite, of which he considers himself a member. Heller adduces proof of his elite status: his friendship with the publisher of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
The eviction of the average person from his home in order to provide aesthetically pleasing environments for the affluent and the super-rich has been part of the left's catechsim ever since the residents of Olive were evicted from the Ashokan and then the New York Times supported Robert Moses's eviction of one sixteenth of New York City residents. Today New York City reflects the flowering of this value system. Only the super rich, of whom Mr. Heller approves because they agree with him about Hinchey, can afford to live in Manhattan after eleven decades of taking advice from the Ochs Sulzbergers, who undoubtedly would also call my views simplistic.
Mitchell Langbert, Ph.D.
West Shokan, NY
Dear Editor,
I agree with Mitchell Langbert, PhD, that the Democratic party and the Republican party "are both marionettes of big business." (I would've said "corporate stooges," but that's a mere semantic difference in taste.) Yet it is clear that, nationally, big business considers the Republicans to be more reliable, or at least less distracted by other matters - follow the money.
Which brings me to my big problem with Mr. Mitchell's expressed views: He seems mostly to be motivated by anger at the Democrats. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with that; I've been mad at the Democrats since the 1970s. (Us Irish can hold a grudge for 400 years.) But I've been mad at Republicans, too, since the 1990s.
I urge a more nuanced view. Locally, I see no problem with being mad at Democrats, especially if they've held power recently. Statewide,I'm a bit split. I'm glad that the Democrats took the State Senate, and it's too soon to boot them. Remember all the waste that Bruno's boys had larded up? Like the private tv studio, for Republican Senators only? Yoiks! However, I would love to see the Republicans take the Assembly for the same reason. And it may be the only way to get rid of that awful Silver guy.
Nationally I'm still mostly mad at the Republicans. We've only just started cleaning up their mess, and there's no indication that they'd even try if put back in charge. They need a longer time out. I admit that I'm rather conservative about money and budgets, but I think the Republicans are less conservative about such things than the Democrats are. Remember how blithely they piled up the debts? I sure do.
All the Glenn Beck talk about radical socialism is utter nonsense. Boob bait for Bubbas. President Obama is a perfectly ordinary center-left Democrat. He ran as one, and he's governing as one. I wish he'd show more anger, but I understand why he doesn't: Angry Black Man Scary.
Gus Murphy
Brooklyn, NY
Dear Editor,
I received my annual Onteora School Tax Bill. Twas an innocuous envelop yet my heart raced as I timidly opened it. There it was, just as foretold, an amount 3.8% greater than last year; in my case now approaching the $2,000 mark.
Despite their protestations to the contrary those in charge of the district budget must think outside the box and find innovative ways to cap/reduce this increasingly strangling economic burden. Those who are lucky enough to be employed aren't seeing anything like 3.8% pay hikes and those on fixed incomes are drowning.
Our NYS representatives are vocalizing roaring silence on the issue and are offering their constituents nothing but the same old business as usual political indifference. Being a fair minded chap I look forward to returning the favor on Election Day and will cast my vote for anyone but the incumbent.
Bob Nielsen
Boiceville, NY
Dear Editor,
The Republicans want credit for American troops leaving Iraq after seven years of war. Although it's a false narrative, they claim "the surge" is why combat troops can now leave - even with more than 50,000 still stationed there and Iraq in ruins. Since Republicans are yearning for credit - let's give them credit where credit is really due:
-For the Republicans' abject failure to prevent the terrorist attacks on 9-11...on the Bush/Cheney watch, while spending billions of dollars on intelligence services. Give the Republicans credit for failure to "connect the terrorism dots."
-For starting an illegal war of aggression against Iraq based on lies. Iraq was a sovereign nation that never attacked us, had no weapons of mass destruction, had no Al-Qaeda, and had nothing to do with the 9-11 terrorist attacks. After WWII these wars of aggression were declared war crimes. Give the Republicans credit for shamelessly following Hitler's example.
-For a foreign invasion that sparked the Iraqi civil war in which nearly 4,500 US troops have died with more than 32,000 grievously wounded while over 100,000 (conservative estimate) Iraqis have been killed and four-million made refugees. Give the Republicans credit.
-For overseeing a system in Iraq and Guantanamo that tolerated and even encouraged torture. Give the Republicans credit.
-For overseeing both the robbery of billions of U.S. dollars in Iraq and the looting of our economy by the largest banks and corporations at home. Give the Republicans credit.
-For costing taxpayers over three trillion dollars for the Iraq war and its consequences. Give the Republicans credit.
-For privatizing military, intelligence, and governmental services while accelerating and subsidizing corporate power which rewards sending jobs overseas and pushes working Americans to the bottom of the economic pile. Give the Republicans credit.
-For bailing out their biggest Wall Street buddies while the rest of us flounder, like New Orleans after Katrina. Give the Republicans credit for the highest unemployment since the Great Depression.
-For continuing their efforts to privatize Social Security and for trying to grab more of our hard-earned savings for gambling by the Wall Street banksters. Give the Republicans credit.
-For tirelessly working for 30-years to gut needed financial regulations and for recklessly driving the world economy into massive failure. Give the Republicans from Reagan through Bush credit.
Give the Republicans credit for decades of malfeasance and financial mayhem, but don't give them (or their Tea Party stalking horses) any votes. If they win in November, sadly we'll end up giving them credit for even more of their failures. Share your own "credit-due" list with us by way of this and other area newspapers.
Tobe Carey
Glenford, NY
Dear Editor,
As a member of the 98 percent of Americans who are not part of the corporate elite, I am deeply concerned and alarmed at what is happening, and what is about to happen to our Democracy in the up coming mid term elections. It is very clear that since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the 'Citizens United' case, corporations now have the power and resources to control the outcome of any election they choose. 'One person, one vote' becomes a joke when the media is overwhelmed with corporate money. The only answer to this for the rest of us is a constitutional amendment reversing 'Citizens United.' Moveon.org is sponsoring a 'Fight Washington Corruption Pledge' that promises just that, and much more. It is a stand against corporate corruption, and for fair and honest elections. With over five million members nationwide, and many active local chapters in New York State, Moveon.org is working hard to ensure that the coming midterm elections reflect the true concerns and needs of the people of New York, the 98 percent not represented by corporate money. Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Hinchey (and over 185 other candidates) have already signed on, and we need Senator Schumer to do the same, and take a public stand against corporate corruption.
Ed Maestro
Rosendale, NY
Dear Editor,
I first came to the Catskills in 1980 via Woodstock and have had a home in Phoenicia since 1997. I have found one thing that is a continuing annoyance up here in the Catskills. Houses here are far from stores, doctors and dentist offices, jobs etc. It is very difficult, especially if you have little children like I do, to travel to all these places. When you have a place to go, like a doctor or dentist office, a person should be able to expect to leave their home, travel the posted speed limit and arrive at the destination at the correct time. Unfortunately, there are members of our community who are either unable to travel the posted speed limit, or who take some perverse pleasure in driving well below the speed limit for the purpose of exerting control over and aggravating the driver(s) behind them. Many of the roads here do not have passing zones and cars are backed behind such drivers for miles, often resulting in late appointments, unnecessary irritation and danger to all the drivers on the road. There may be times, for example if you are delivering a sick child to the hospital, when you can not wait and may be forced to pass such a driver in a zone that is not designated for passing, this is very dangerous.
There is a simple solution to this problem, one that I use myself when I am feeling tired or dreamy and just want to cruise along enjoying the scenery well below the limit. When you do this keep an eye in the rear view mirror. When cars come up behind you, find the first available spot to pull over and let them pass. Intentionally driving slow for the purpose of blocking the road and forcibly slowing the traffic behind you is not only rude and obnoxious, it is a dangerous antisocial behavior that could result in a serious accident.
Tim Slowinski
Woodland Valley, NY
Dear Editor,
The Phoenicia Rotary wishes to thank everyone who made our September 10th fundraiser so successful.
In particular a special thank-you to all the merchants and restaurants for the donated items and gift certificates for our raffle including: Adams Fairacre Farms, Al's Restaurant, Boiceville Wine & Liquors, Boiceville Market, Dave Channon, The Emerson Place, Hanover Farms, Hong Kong Restaurant, Mama's Boy, 60 Main a Community Store, Oriole 9, Peek-a Moose Restaurant, Sewplicity, STS, Stucki Embroidery, Sweet Sue's, Tender Land Home, Ulster Savings and VidaKafka.
Kudos to Paul Pettinato and his staff for once again providing plenty of great food and service to all who attended and to Keith Holmquist for the excellent music mix that seemed to please everyone.
Phoenicia Rotary
Prize Committee
Dear Editor,
Life can have wonderful continuities, little circles within larger circles. I interrupted my reading to step outside and three women and a man emerged from a car that parked on the side of the road. They were middle aged to elderly. As they walked onto the far end of my property, I thought "they're from Europe," one woman especially with her colors and sensuous look.
I had been reading Maxim Gorky, ( pseudonym of Alexsy Maximovich Peshkov, 1868/1936, Russia). When one of the women told me they were from Uzbekistan and Russia they were delighted to hear I was reading Gorky's novel "Mother", ( about the 1905 Revolutionary movement. He took a prominent part in the Russian Revolution of 1905 but opposed Russia's participation in WW1 as well as the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and was also critical of Lenin's dictatorial methods in his newspaper.) One woman was 86. She had white hair and four of her own upper teeth protruded prominently. She did not speak English but when I told her I was a baby, 77, compared to her, she laughed. The man was big and I asked him where he was from and when he said Brooklyn, I said, "that's not a Brooklyn accent" and gave him a playful pat. He walked among my carvings with his arms crossed and did not engage in conversation. The two other women, one an artist, the other a musician, were animated about my sculptures and one said "when I look at your work it gives me a warm feeling."
Bob Jacobson
Mt. Tremper, NY