12/20/2007

Dear Editor,
Last Tuesday I attended the “Scoping” meeting on the Bellayre development, which by the way was predominately against, one thing struck me as interesting. It was largely people who should benefit from the much touted jobs and economic benefits, namely the working class folk, who were against the development and quite strongly so. I think they pretty much see through the hype and realize that this type of development is for people other then themselves and it would threaten their way of life and possibly make it difficult for them to remain in the area.
Michael Puryear
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
The full-page ad by Partners for Progress is big and loud and full of inaccuracies. While P for P is a new organization and we’d like to cut it some slack, there’s no excuse for fudging the facts. Here they are:
The construction jobs will be filled by workers from outside the area, like the ones who showed up at the public hearing at Onteora Central School and had to leave at the break to get back to Orange and Westchester Counties; the developer has conceded that the capabilities for this construction are not available locally.
The developer has further asserted that the 110 high-paying jobs will go to people trained in the skills those jobs pay for, also not available in the area.
The average national wage for hotel workers—the 340 full-time jobs “promised”--is $8.67 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an annual salary of $17,340, assuming 40 hours per week of work, and it is below the poverty line for a family of four.
Property taxes always—always!—go up when a large-scale development is built. Always.
The “increased customer bases” the P for P talks about are likely to stay home in the resort; they call these things destination resorts because nobody ever has to leave them. As the developer has promised, our local businesses will compete “head-on” against the resort’s many restaurants and retail shops.
The list of so-called environmental organizations starts off with a major misstatement. The DEC is the lead agency that will provide the supposedly objective review of the potential impacts of the proposal. It did not sign any Agreement. Governor Spitzer, however, and his top environmental deputy did, and since Spitzer appoints the DEC Commissioner, that throws into question the DEC’s overall objectivity on this issue.
The other organizations that signed onto the so-called compromise are for the most part national in scope. As typically happens in community environmental struggles like this one, the large-scale, “name” groups are satisfied to accept a “victory” that dismisses local concerns and the local groups who advance those concerns. That’s what happened here. Still fighting the resort via the mandated state environmental quality review process are the Catskill Heritage Alliance, the Friends of Catskill Park, the Pine Hill Water District Coalition, the Hardenbergh Association of Residents and Taxpayers, and the Highmount Preservation Association. They are joined by one very important nationwide organization, the Sierra Club, the granddaddy of them all and perhaps the most influential environmental voice in our country.
Finally, the P for P fudges the environmental benefits. The LEED certification is promised for only some buildings and LEED Silver for a very few. The organic golf course is a given for only five years; after that, it can be reviewed, and if the developer says profits aren’t high enough, pesticides and fertilizers may indeed be used. They will then wash down into the watershed for the Pepacton Reservoir, which, unlike the Ashokan, has yet to be impaired. As for building on steep slopes, the state definition for steepness is a 15% grade; many buildings in the “compromise” development will be built on slopes as steep as 35%. That’s some compromise!
The proposed resort is an important if divisive local issue. Let’s at least keep the facts straight.
Mary D. Macy
Susanna Margolis
Fleischmanns, NY

Dear Editor,
1) Beyond scooping; I understand the all of you state employees must adhere to the usual procedures of the permitting process; However: the shear magnitude of a project this size combined with the spin off of adjunct projects likely to be proposed as a result of its passage are beyond the reasonable expectations of any and all whom may have to consider it.
When the Charters for the Catskill and Adirondack parks were ratified now some 104 years ago; I doubt seriously that our legislators could have imagined a scenario such as this:
By that I mean the following, just for a start a) pumping enough water to make snow; thousands of people Driving to get here! B) The construct of a Limited Liability Corporation that would protect the promoters such as we have today. C) The concept of promoters filing for such permits, only to auction them off to the highest bidder seems odd and questionable.
Its legality should be verified before the process proceeds any further.
To comprehend the intent of those elected leaders we must look back to that time. The creation of both State parks were a direct result of the lack of resource management from the 1600s to the 1890s by then both international shipping ports (NYC and Newark, NJ) had been severely compromised; which resulted in the largest public works project ever! To protect the tax payers from future erosion and in-filling of the harbors the park system was created. The plan worked well for nearly 90 years, the harbors have once again lost much of their depth, Remember the moving of the Intrepid? The navigable waterways once again need a make over.
D) Under SEQRA it is the applicants duty to attempt, when desirable to locate the project else where; however moving a bad idea from one head waters water shed to another is no remedy. E) It is also the duty of the lead agency and other stake holders to look at the longevity and probability of success in any major project. With the extreme rise in energy costs; negative fluctuations in the real estate and mortgage markets; combined with the reduction in average ski days as a result of climate change, This project looks like a bad bet.
2) If the proposal for such an increase in population density were to go forward; who will pay for the resulting infrastructure improvements such as : more electric lines, wide roads, more cell towers, more sewer treatment and oh yes a regional airport to get them here faster.
James Davis,Environmental Director
Wittenberg Center
Bearsville, NY

Dear Editor,
There are a few letters in our local newspapers I'd like to address. There are now two groups now being very vocal about the Belleayre Deveopement. One is Save The Mountain and the other is Partners for Progress. I'm proud to say I am with Save the Mountain. People can attack us all they want, but they need to ask what Save the Mountain is getting from this resort and what Partners for Progress are getting. We are just People who want to see jobs and progress in our community, but done in a way that will not destroy our environment and our mountains. We are dedicated people who have given hours of our time and given up many personal hours to attend countless meetings, not just when the mood suits us. So don't sit back and say we don't know what we are talking about. Maybe Partners for Progress are getting a little nervous that so much opposition is growing for this development. Don't forget that this is now two developments not one. There was an article in the Catskill Mountain News titled Bring The Dozers, this goes to show the mentality of what we are up against. Now to a letter titled Substance. Was this writer at the negotiations and all the meetings that have gone on since I doubt it. This resort will be a self contained resort which means everything you need will be there, you will not have to leave for anything. Also a new developement has arrived. Go to the dictionary and look under Cross Roads Developement you will find the definition for bulling and intimidation. If you go against us you will pay. So I guess when these retail stores at the resort open and are under the eye of the resort it will sort of be like the coal mines you'll be working for the company store, so you wii do as we say or your out of here. Another thing is about all the taxes and who will be paying for all of the things associatd with this developement we will. See how much the Emerson is paying, I believe it is 2400.00 a year, I guess tax breaks do work at least for the rich.May be our fire companies etc. can handle this resort,but what if we have more then one emergency at a time. Look at the fire at the Phoenicia Hotel awhile back and how many fire companies it took for that. So how are they going to deal with a fire three stories under ground, or three or four stories up. I think this resort should have its own fire company, ambulance, police force and anything else they find neceesary. Why should we the tax payers have to pay for it. One last comment to one more letter in the paper titled Ugly oder. You won't have to worry about pizza deliveries etc becuse there won't be any small bussiness left when this resort opens because everyone will be working for big bucks at the resort.
Bernadette Beyea, Vice Chairman Hardenburgh Associatio of Residents and Taxpayers (HART)
Margaretville, N.Y.

Dear Editor,
A myth promoted by advocates for the redesigned mega-resort on Belleayre Mountain is that their deal fulfills a plan outlined by Representative Maurice Hinchey. "After dozens of meetings and hundreds of hours of negotiations, the developer agreed to a compromise first framed by Congressman Maurice Hinchey more than a year ago," wrote Tom Alworth, executive director of the Catskill Center, in a letter to members.
Maurice Hinchey? Advocating an underground health spa? Two hotels? Five restaurants? Ten retail stores? Nineteen houses at 3,000 feet? The largest hamlet in 40 miles packed onto a single mountainside? Amidst the Catskill Park's "Forever Wild" Forest Preserve?
Countless politicians over the ages have built architectural monstrosities to themselves. But Hinchey Land on Belleayre West?
Did I mention the conference center? Driving range? Aboveground health spa for those not afraid of nuclear attack?
I find it hard to believe our Representative proposed anything like the mega-resort agreed to by the Catskill Center and others in secret negotiations, but opposed by local groups and the Sierra Club. In fact, here's what Hinchey actually did propose in October 2005.
First, save Belleayre's eastern ridge from development by adding it to the Forest Preserve. The agreement for the new mega-resort does, indeed, protect this ridge-an achievement worth celebrating!
Second, Hinchey offered "three possible development scenarios" for the western side of the mountain: "The first, a natural resources alternative, would focus on such outdoor and recreational attractions as an equestrian center, perhaps a facility for mountain biking and hiking, maybe a fitness center and a hotel. A second-residential-alternative would be comprised of clustered housing, a hotel, restaurant, and similar facilities. A third western parcel alternative, which would proceed only after the most careful environmental scrutiny, would add a golf course to some of the elements listed above."
In short, Hinchey proposed a modest development in keeping with Catskill communities. It's too bad that the mega-resort agreed to in secret doubles, triples, even quintuples what our Representative had in mind. I hope he restores his good name by speaking out against this new project's excesses.
Will Nixon
West Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
One of the largest developments in the Catskill Mountains in recent memory threatens Belleayre Mountain and its surroundings. The project to be known as Belleayre Catskill Crossroads would construct two hotels, two spas, restaurants, shops, an 18 hole golf course, 629 units of housing a two story underground parking garage over a square mile of mountain. As if this were not enough, much of this development would be on steep mountain slopes, with many acres of pristine Catskill forest clear cut. A mile long road would be built to the 3,000 foot summit of Belleayre Mountain and twenty buildings would be built at the 3,000 foot level that would be visible from hiking trails on Balsam, Bearpen, Vly and Halcott Mountains. Imagine pristine views of wilderness that we have come to treaure, marred by the sight of condos sprawling across the mountain and its slopes.
Since the property sits on both the Catskill and Delaware watersheds the increase runoff from this development would compromise a fragile water supply costing the City of New York billions of dollars to filter in order to be in compliance with EPA standards.
Traffic would greatly increase on NY 28 and surrounding roads as the result of significantly increased traffic from the Belleayre Crossroads development and new developments it would spawn.
The effect to the local economy would be adverse as well as the demand for new services would increase property taxes and any of the new jobs created by the resort would be minimum wage service jobs. It’s a losing situation except for the developer.
Bad as this sounds, this development could have been even worse if groups like ADK, the New York New Jersey Trail Conference, the Sierra Club and other environmental groups had not been actively fighting this battle for the past seven years.
On September 5, 2007 a so called agreement was reached between Dean Gitter, developer of Catskill Crossroads, the State of New York, the City of New York and several environmental organizations.
A summary of the Agreement in Principal (AIP) appeared in the November/December Adirondac Magazine and the New York/New Jersey Trail Walker. Several environmental organizations signed on as signatories to this agreement but the signatories did not include ADK or the Trail Conference. The Belleayre Agreement articles in both the Adirondac and Trail Walker hails the agreement as a success as the negotiations did pressure the developer from pulling back from developing the eastern part of Belleayre Mountain and reducing the total number of buildings but what I described above still remains.
So in essence, while there was some reduction in the size of the project the environmental groups did not bargain hard enough to bring the size, and character of this development down meaningful so as not to leave the huge foot print on the surrounding mountains, roads and communities. The project is still massive in its present form.
In other words, ADK and the Trail Conference may have called in the chips to early and should have told the State and the developer in September that the Agreement is not good enough. The effects to the environment are still massive, devastating and permanent.
Fortunately, the Sierra Club realized this and my understanding is ADK and the Trail Conference are re-evaluating their initial support for the agreement signed with the State.
What Happens Next?
The project is currently going through a public scoping review process which runs from December 10, 2007 to January 7, 2008. About 250 people came out in horrible weather to attend the public scoping meetings at Belleayre Mountain, with nearly 75% voicing their vocal opposition.
It is during this time period that it is essential that individuals and groups make there voices heard if there is a chance to further reduce the size of this monstrosity. After January 7, 2008 public scoping closes and you will no longer be able to comment.
If you care about the Catskills and atr troubled about what is being perpetrated, now is the time to act!
What You Can Do?
Go to www.savethemountain.net and sign the petition to Governor Eliot Spitzer. Enter your comments in the Public Scoping which is a chance for the public to speak up and be heard as part of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA). The comment period closes on January 7, 2008. All comments should go to: Mr. David Whitehead, Environmental Analyst, Division of Environmental Permits
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 1223-1750
Write letters to Governor Spitzer, DEC Commissioner Alexander Grannis and Senators Clinton and Schumer expressing your views on this project. Addresses available at savethemountain.net
Write letters to the newspapers.
Donate money to the Save the Mountain, P.O Box 453 Highmount, NY 12441.
Keep informed of progress by periodically visiting savethemountain.net and clicking on Latest News and Resources.
So if we fail to act, there is a lot to lose for us and future generations. If you really care and love the Catskills its up to each of us to do something to try to save this precious resource from a developer’s bulldozer that would sacrifice a lot for the benefit of a few.
Lets All “ Save the Mountain”.
Lanny Wexler
Andes, NY

Dear Editor,
During the past few weeks I have read many interesting viewpoints supporting the revised plan now on the table for the Belleayre Resort. Interesting, yes, but missing is the alarming rest of the story.
Unlike the previous public hearings I will not be able to participate in the argument and public discussion scheduled for December 10. However, I offer my following view on this important controversial issue:
Written statements by proponents of the project painted a reflection, that of a practice carried on by the well known pharmaceutical industry. Surely, most knowledgeable consumers are aware of the remarkable and slick marketing practice the pharmaceutical industry bombards us with in their colorful TV ads. Individuals, using their prescription drugs, are seen smiling and laughing. Yet, some of their drugs have harmful side effects. Other drugs now on the market have yet to prove their worth.
I find it disturbing and disappointing that most supports choose not to fully address the well written words belonging to folks who have eloquently brought to light some r3ealistic and depressing impact facts. I believe it safe to say most comments in favor of the resort are teeming with multiple benefits that will be realized from the resort. That, I must say, remains to be seen. In the meantime what about the known, unknown and don't want to be known monetary costs that awaits us taxpayers should the proposed resort be approved as it now appears on the table.
That is the rest of the story, ladies and gentlemen. Ask not your doctor, but rather yourself - is the oversized Belleayre Resort right for you? For all of us?
In closing, I urge everyone (if possible) to attend and let your voices be heard on December 10. Needless to say, for the residents in the target area of the mountain, the current lifestyle that we so dearly cherish is so very close to being taken away from us. So please, help us save the mountain for now and for all future generations to come. Challenging, I know, but it can and must be saved.
Stan Boguski
Arkville, NY

Dear Editor,
To impeach both president and vice president this late in their term may seem foolish and counterproductive.
Unfortunately, the many reasons to do so are compelling.
Some say we should just concentrate on putting better people in power. The people of the united states need to send a strong message to all those seeking office by holding these men accountable. If we do not enforce the rule of law we are clearly leaving the door open for more of the same abuses of power.
Some say an impeachment will take valuable time away from a busy congress. I believe it is a mistake to confuse the impeachment furor during Clinton's term with the proceeding which must now take place. The charges against Bush and Cheney are neither nebulous or trivial but are over issues at the very core of our national identity. Great harm has come to many through their actions. The evidence against them is ample and a matter of public record. Furthermore the major obstacle to any meaningful progress in congress is a president drunk with power, he stamps his little foot and vetoes. Why should the important work of the nation be held up by an exposed liar with serious conflict of interest issues? The vice-president believes he is entirely above the law.. The congress indeed has no work more important. Impeach them.
Bush and Cheney continue to attempt to provoke hostilities with Iran, even though all the evidence is against them. Bush's statements about Iraq continue to be preposterous. He appears to have very little regard for the lives he has destroyed. Clearly he is unfit for leadership. Impeach them.
The president of the United States has always been the supreme role model for young americans. I am appalled to think that I may be a senior citizen in a world where "the way to win is to lie and cheat, and it's ok as long as you get away with it, no matter who gets hurt". Impeach them.
Christina Countryman
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
A somewhat decent energy bill was passed by the House last week. It is now dead in the water torpedoed by Senate Republicans and a threatened Bush veto. These individuals object to two provisions in the bill. One mandates that the utilities produce 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. The other cuts tax breaks and subsidies for oil companies.
Do they really mean this country absolutely can't pull itself together and produce a paltry 15 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020? I wonder if these people get it that the entire planet, including their own bodies and minds, are powered 100 percent by solar energy. Nature moves mountains with just the tiny touch of sun that falls on our planet.
Do these people really believe that our tax money should be given to companies constantly posting record profits? Should our money be going to companies producing a product known to be harmful to every component of the natural world from the land to the oceans and now the climate?
It can't be made more crystal clear. Time to get with the program.
Peter Koch
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank Mr. Joe Michaels for the wonderful remembrance of my Uncle Ed. I do agree that the obituary was very formal and I appreciate your more personal letter. Ed was truly the last of a dying breed. He was strong and independent up until his last days.
Ed was an inspiration to me, a mountain man hero. He lived and thrived in these mountains for many years, doing so with a smile. He taught me about hunting, and every year I hunt these woods remembering his lessons. I will continue to do so as my tribute to him.
His late brother Lewis wrote a book titled "Growing Up In The Catskills" which tells of the adventures and hardships that Ed and his family endured growing up in Shandaken. I would like to see some of today's generation put down their cellphones and laptops and try a slice of life the way Ed lived his.
Anyone else who has stories about Ed to tell, I would love to read them so please share. Thank you again, Joe Michaels.
Lauryn Ocker
Hurley, NY

Dear Editor,
Mrs. Helen Cordo and her sons Barry and Douglas would like to thank the following people and sponsors for the generous and continued support of the James A. Cordo Memorial Soccer tournament: SAYS and Chris and Donna Fischer for organizing the event, Jim Nickerson for the use of the Town of Olive Soccer fields. Sponsors: Brios, Phoenicia Wines and Liquors, Phoenicia Pharmacy, Attorneys Mike Iapoce and Phil Kirschner. Event donors; Miss Kitty’s , Boiceville Florist, Boiceville Market, Phoenicia Country Store, Nest Egg, Tiso’s restaurant, Phoenicia Supply, and Cathy Neal, John Fudge and all the children and parents who participated, the event was a great experience for all involved and we look forward to the event returning to Shandaken in the fall of 2008. Also a special thanks to the Phoenicia Times and The Ulster County Townsman for your contiued coverage of the event.
The Cordo Family
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
The Catskill Mountain Railroad Club held a very successful fourth annual Open House at the Margaretville Presbyterian Church on the two weekends following Thanksgiving. The Club wishes to thank all those people who attended this event including the Head Start Program. From the looks on both the children and adult faces we feel that those attending enjoyed themselves very much. The children especially seemed to enjoy the newly added church bells and calliope music which were among this years feature. Many adults commented on the animation especially the two welders at work on the tracks.
The Club also wishes to thank all of the local newspapers for promoting the event in the Events Column. Local business also helped out by displaying the flyers and of course the public for word of mouth advertising. A special thanks to the members of the Margaretville Presbyterian Church who allow the extensive layout to be housed in their basement and for allowing the Club to work on it each week. A special thanks to Mike and Becky Porter who are always very supportive and helpful.
The members of the Club take pleasure in working on this train layout throughout the year. The work is made even more enjoyable when it can be shared with the public each year.
We wish to thank everyone who made this event a huge success.
The Catskill Mountain Train Club Members: Frank Bell, Joe Douds, Kurt Holcherr, Don Kearney, David Metsch, Ken Rapp, Harry Reagan, Ralph Persons

Dear Editor,
Wind is air in motion. It's funny how we can walk or run through still air and not even notice it but when moving it can be an awesome force. Last night it howled. I could hear it in the distance rumbling like a bowling ball rolling down a worn alley. As it approached it grew louder seemingly gathering force and momentum as it gusted past and either hit or skirted my house. When it hit you could sense it wrapping around the four walls as if doing its best to move the obstruction in its path…kind of unsettling for a while. I found it fascinating how I could actually hear the near misses as they raced to who knows where. Then during one ferocious gust there was a loud Snap, Boom and the lights went out. A tree branch up the block succumbs and hit a wire and blew a transformer. Lying in bed listening to the howling wind, quite a humbling experience.
Bob Nielsen
Boiceville, NY

Dear Editor,
To the citizens of the Town of Shandaken - I would like to take this time to thank you for all your generous contributions to the Town of Shandaken Food Pantry. We have had so many people and organizations step forward for the benefit of their neighbors. Thanks to you, our pantry is thriving very well and we have helped numerous families. We wish you all a very joyous, healthy, and peaceful holiday season and a very Happy New Year.
Hope Gilsinger
Town of Shandaken Food Pantry

Dear Editor.
In France in 1944 while waiting to enter the Battle of the Bulge, to pass the time, we made up some words to the tune "White Christmas". I hope you enjoy them.
I'm dreaming of cement sidewalks,
Just like the kind I used to know.
Where your shoes stay polished
And not demolished,
In this damn European mud.
I'm dreaming of some fair weather,
Just like the kind I used to know.
If it don't stop raining today,
Southern France will just float away.
Merry Christmas.
Roy Winchell
Phoenicia,NY