8/30/2007

Dear Editor,
Its not bad enough that you print letters from an individual that has not had a single original thought on his own, EVER, and has nothing better to do except to tarnish the character of our fellow townspeople, whoever they may be. But now he proposes that if people cannot vote Democratic, that they SHOULD NOT VOTE AT ALL. This individual does not put his brain in gear before he opens his mounth!
Really Editor, have you no sense of responsibility to the public when you chose the letters you print in your newspaper. Or will you just hide behind the right to a free press, no matter if its true, false or damaging to anyone. This person makes wild accusations, and you print it. He repeats formers letter writer's words over and over, and you print it. He doesn't know the difference between being responsible for getting sworn in on your own, or getting somebody thrown off the board on a technicality, as DiModica did with Bill Fitchner. Don't think people forgot that little episode. His berating of private citizens is bordering on liable! Have you no sense of responsibility when one of your own reporters, reported on how the Democratic caucus was so nice and civilized. He failed to report how people hissed and booed at non Democratic candidates when they got up to speak, and the candidates had nasty things to say about their opposing candidate. People who are at this moment serving the town!
Not DEMOCRATIC at all!
Is this how they propose to bring the town together?
I have not seen one bad word about any Democratic candidate so far. Are your candidates so squeaky clean that something couldn't be said about them? Can anyone be put under a microscope and not have flaws? Maybe something could just be made up about them, as your writer is so good at.
So I am asking you, Editor in Chief, will you be more selective in your letters to the editor? What kind of reporting and campaign are we looking forward to this time around? I leave it to you to make the call.
John C. Kuever
Phoenicia, NY
Editor’s Response: We run all letters that come to us, and seek out many from other publications, without any editing because we feel our community's open debate, from the most local to most universal topics, is the key responsibility of this newspaper. As for your comments about the Democratic Caucus and our reporting on it... what you bring up did not occur at the event we were at on August 5. Could you have mistaken another open Meet the Candidate’s event for the caucus?

Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Mr. Dave Channon’s letter printed in the Phoenicia Times August 16th edition.
First, let me clear up one of the letter writer’s misrepresentations. SHARP did not “own a piece” of the Phoenicia Hotel. Mr. Stokes applied for and received a loan that SHARP administers, as have most of the businesses in this town. SHARP files a lien on all borrowers to the loan fund, and it has never been our policy to place insurance on these loans as to do so would bankrupt the Fund quickly. I would also like to add that for the writer to say that “we discovered” there was a loan, seems to imply some sort of illegal activity, to which I, along with the SHARP Board of Directors, take great offense. If the “Imperial We” were to dig deep enough, “We” may find that many of his friends and neighbors have most likely benefited from this loan fund from time to time as well.
Secondly, the reason for the loan was to do renovations, which Mr. Stokes did indeed comply with, making complete interior renovations to the rooms upstairs, as well as building space for what was to become several successive restaurants next door to the Tavern. I am not sure who the writer talked to regarding the use of Mr. Stokes’ loan, but it was certainly not anyone involved with the loan fund process, which would leave me to believe that he is simply making up his own facts as he goes along, and each individual would take it as just that, and make their own decisions based upon where the information comes from.
Lastly, all applications to the loan fund are reviewed by a Loan Fund Committee. It is also the Committee that makes the decision on who will get the loans and who will not. No Executive Director has ever been in the position to do so, this includes Ms. Jane Todd. Therefore, Ms. Todd was no more instrumental in the loan made to the Phoenicia Hotel, than Mr. Dave Channon was.
As this is an election year, and Mr. Channon has apparent axes to grind from the Top in Albany all the way down to little old Phoenicia, SHARP is once again bracing for the onslaught of daggers Mr. Channon regularly throws at The admirable Jane Todd, as we often times feel the sting from a wild strike every now and again. Mr. Channon is either ignorant of the true facts or else he deliberately distorts them to suit his own political schemes. We at SHARP will continue to service the needs of our community, helping out in any way we can. I believe change can only come about when worked on in a positive manner.
Sincerely,
Buffy Kibe, Exec. Director
SHARP Committee
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
The Large Parcel debacle is over. Olive dodged a 30 percent LPL cannonball in a 15-15 tie vote at the county venue on Aug. 8th. Hats off to the 2 pro-LPL UC Legislators who were absent that night. If the NYC assessment suit is settled by next August, our next LPL dunking could occur after the next NYC reval, perhaps many years out. I do believe that the LPL problem will be resolved by then. Perhaps the next NYC reval could be approved by the powers that be in Albany before it is applied, avoiding the possibility of a huge refund to NYC years after the fact. Also avoided would be the years of potential large hikes and school harmony meltdown that can follow a NYC reval under the LPL. That would be a valuable law. The many weighty issues involved underscore the value of the inter-municipal agreement sought by Olive.
I'm puzzled and surprised that the 2 Woodstock chaps and Noonan chose to bring the LPL to a vote at the county venue. They bypassed the UC Legislature Administrative Services Committee decision to table the LPL for '07 which was due to the recent Olive reval. A 30 percent hurt for a 2 percent gain? Where's the logic? Even the Woodstock Times said table it. Sadly, its more fuel on the fire.
Despite the huge tax hikes and school harmony meltdown, the LPL is a mosquito bite compared to the potential of the other NYC tax issues. Olive leaders working to join with the county and school to deal with NYC is a great idea. With millions in hand to purchase more land in the watershed, the 900 lb. gorilla will soon weigh a ton. The final reservoir value determined at the Jan. trial may well become a benchmark for many years to come given the lack of funding to commission and defend future revaluations. Olive has done its homework and is building bridges to work with the other affected parties.
Dr. Ford was advised not to participate. Perhaps because the school levy is issued and will be paid no matter what the apportionment. The amount collected by the school does not go up if NYC is worth more, so why get involved? The people will pay the levy no matter what. The other members of OCSD seem shortsighted in pursuing the LPL while neglecting the larger NYC assessment issue. Olive suffered financial loss and the entire school district suffered harmony meltdown from the LPL due to one action only, that of Olive assigning an up to date value on the reservoir. OCSD is scarred. Will the wounds ever heal?
Olivite’s came together and pulled on whichever rope or lever they could to fend off the LPL. The Admiral called forth a sometimes mutinous citizen crew and the good ship OM was launched with at least one loose cannon stowed aboard to help shore up the defense. Olive Matters stoked the boilers keeping the steam up for the long voyage. The yearly skirmishes were each quelled in a fortnight with all hands on deck. Not a bad show given that the royal ship of state and its media brethren are zealously pro-LPL and willing to deceive at every turn. Only a few Olive turncoats swam against the tide. Calmer seas are on the horizon.
I'm awed at Olive’s participation at the school. Olivite’s support each other through thick and thin, it seems. I’m awed at the County Building protest of Feb.,‘05. Olive peaceably roared with style at a truly unforgettable event. The Holiday Inn protest might have been a little too severe, but I've mixed feelings given the 3 million theft from Olive purses. Many struggled just to get through the year after the LPL tsunami hit. NY Senator Farley asked Gov. Pataki to sign LPL into law to avoid tax hikes for the “hard hit seniors” in his district. Our own state Senator appears to have other concerns. He told those in distress to sell and leave town. Our Assemblyman was of similar mind and treated a delegation of esteemed polite Olivite’s quite poorly when the issue first arose. Distressed seniors and school harmony meltdown are of no concern to them.
I'm very glad to live in Olive, the little town that could. And will. Peaceable, neighborly and fair, mostly. Live and let live, always. Look around! Verbal altercations if not fisticuffs occur at almost every public meeting in surrounding towns. Not here. Oh, we have the occasional minor spat, but nothing much compared to outside Olive. The SS Olive appears to be in good trim despite the stormy weather. Our senior officers have the experience and appear well able to navigate the treacherous shoals of the NYC coastline.
Olive Rocks!
Charlie Blumstein
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
A big peace-or-war showdown is set for Washington on Saturday, Sept. 15, and the American antiwar movement will be there in force, including a contingent from the Hudson Valley traveling in chartered buses from Kingston and New Paltz.
Sept. 15 is the day Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq who
represents the Bush Administration1s hope for military victory, will deliver his eagerly anticipated report on the status of the war. He is expected to plead for more years to obtain Bush1s objectives.
Simultaneously, tens of thousands of peace demonstrators ‹ representing the
great majority of the American people, according to all public opinion polls we will be marching from the White House to the Capitol for a rally, demanding, 3Time1s up! Withdraw now!2 Some 20 peace groups and coalitions are sponsoring the event.
The Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter is chartering the buses to Washington and back, leaving in early morning and returning late at night. For information on reservations and other details, email jacdon@earthlink.net or call (845) 255-5779.
Jack A. Smith
New Paltz, NY

Dear Editor,
Sunday evening, I was driving home on 28 West. The traffic at 8PM was so heavy, it was hard to get onto the road. When I came almost as far as the Black Bear, I saw a young white and black cat on the wrong side of the road. He/she was looking around, trying to figure out how to get out of the mess that curiosity had created. I was fed up with the usual government blunders and mulling them over, trying to talk myself into not caring, and instead concentrating on my personal needs. Nevertheless, I found my car drawn over into the Black Bear parking lot, and then tried for some time, to cross 28 to see if I could rescue the cat. All the while, I was scolding myself for being too soft. "See? That's why you have no money, you're a fool, etc., etc.".
I got across to find the cat crying at me, "Help me, please help me". I was able to pick it up easily, with no scratches to show, carefully crossing the jammed up 28 and went into the restaurant. I didn't know what I'd do, but when I got inside, 3-4 women wanted to hold the cat. I talked to the patrons about what to do, suggestions were coming in, "Call, WDST", "Go to the Emergency Hospital in Kingston", "Call he ASPCA." At the last suggestion, a man jumped off his barstool, and said: "No - don't call the ASPCA, or any of those things. This cat will find it's owner, or I'll take it". I looked him in the eye and we were both practically crying. We thanked each other and I left. The next morning, I got up to learn that Karl Rove had resigned. Need I say more?
Jill Paperno
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
Recently, George Bush, with a straight face, told us that everyone in the USA already has health coverage, since the uninsured can go to an emergency room when they need care! Over forty-six million uninsured citizens in the US, and his solution is for people to wait until their
health problems are so severe that they need to go to already overcrowded emergency rooms - the least efficient and most expensive health-care solution!! I wonder why he didn't take his own advice and go to one of Washington, DC's emergency rooms to treat his Lyme Disease last year? Probably there was no need, since he has good government health-care coverage. And his coverage seems to be so good, he even got doctors to come to him for his recent colonoscopy, while he was on vacation at Camp David. Perhaps the White house will publish the health-care costs associated with those procedures and how much the Bush family had to pay out-of-pocket for any medical services they received? I wonder: Do they have a deductible?
While Bush blabbers, the state of public health in the US continues in a downward death spiral. In a just published study on how long Americans live, Dr. Christopher Murray, head of the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, reports, "Despite being one of the richest countries in the world, America has dropped from 11th to 42nd place in 20 years." People are dying sooner because of the failing health system in our country. What will it take to get a national single-payer universal health system that simply says to all American citizens, "You're born, you're covered...you die, your coverage ends?"
This week my wife and I received notice that our group health insurance rates just jumped another $100 per month, with no end in sight. And in the midst of this, the regressive national health-care priorities still hold sway. The only talk about health-care on the Republican campaign trail is about how quickly they would give more millions in subsidies to favored private insurers (and rich CEOs) and continue to strangle public services in this country. One definition of insanity is "to keep doing the same thing and to keep expecting different results." Why are Republic candidates asking us to continue the madness and why do they want voters to support the continuation of a failed profit-making health-care system? What we need, instead, is a non-profit PUBLIC health care system that covers all Americans under one plan like Medicare For All. With no profit allowed, administrative costs will drop dramatically. And, with a single-payer plan, doctor fees can be reduced when they save big-time on billing and record-keeping overhead.
So, why are Republican candidates still trying to scare voters with worn-out phrases like "socialized medicine" or "Hillary-Care" when a vast majority of Americans support cost-effective comprehensive public health coverage? How could the Republicans be so out of step with what's needed?
Follow the money! When we remove the 30% waste and profit that goes to companies making millions under these schemes, we'll have a much stronger health-care system. And, I bet our longevity improves.
In contrast to the Republicans, all the Democratic candidate endorse universal health-care. Presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich, has the best plan of all the candidates to change the way health-care is delivered in America. It embraces all the important elements of a not-for-profit public system to provide health coverage for our communities. It recognizes we are all in the health-care boat together and we gain when public-health policy is strengthened, not dismantled.
I urge this paper, its readers and all candidates for public office to strongly endorse HR 676, the rational approach to universal, not-for-profit, single-payer health-care offered by Dennis Kucinich and John Conyers, and to work for its adoption.
Tobe Carey
Glenford, NY

Dear Editor,
I know it's early to be thinking about the November elections and with all the fighting and arguing, sometimes it's hard to digest all of what is going on. However, I had the privilege of watching all three of the district attorney candidates answer questions and present their platform to the public via Kingston Public Access TV. I wish I could say all were impressive, but I can't. There really was only one candidate that stood out as a clear frontrunner, and that is Jonathan Sennett.
Republican candidate Holley Carnwright made some very disturbing comments in terms of how he would handle the district attorney's office, contrary to what [Kingston Police] Chief Keller says Mr. Carnwright does not feel there is a need to be proactive in fighting crime, he stated crime is going to happen anyway so there is no need to try to prevent it but rather prosecute it as it comes in the door. Mr. Carnwright also stated that there is no need to upgrade the office to the 21st century and that everything is currently up to date. I have talked to many people, including the current district attorney, who conclude that updates are needed to effectively prosecute crime. Conservative candidate Vincent Bradley Jr. was on for an hour and I can't really tell you any of his positions on crime. Mr. Bradley seemed very uncomfortable and was not clear where he stood on the issues.
Then there was Jonathan Sennett a bright, confident voice who gave a clear plan that included tackling quality of life crimes by getting to the root causes of crime and making the office proactive in fighting crime. Mr. Sennett went into great detail about how he would prosecute crime more efficiently and more effectively. Fighting crime seems to be his forte after being an assistant district attorney in the Bronx County district attorney's office for over six years. Mr. Sennett also made a statement that sticks out; he said that he would not just be the chief prosecutor of the county, but the chief community leader. That to me says it all. Mr. Sennett is a person that will serve our county proudly and, in my opinion, clean up a lot of the crime problem that exists today. Jonathan Sennett has my vote!
Karen Sellars
Kingston, NY

Dear Editor,
How will the Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran invasions be stopped? How will the tragic loss of soldiers and civilians be stopped? How will our hard-fought rights as citizens of a democracy be saved? How will the valid purpose of a federal government, the security and well being of all the people, not just the super rich, be restored?
When the executive branch takes excessive powers and uses them to put the country in jeopardy while trying to control information (see the Sunday, Aug 19 New York Times op ed written by some of our soldiers in Iraq), when the Federal Courts are stacked with lackeys of the Executive Branch, we must look to Congress. We DID look to Congress in a massive outpouring for the 2006 Congressional election.
Because our nation's founders feared such a runaway executive branch, they gave Congress, as representatives of the people, two legitimate powers control such an executive branch.
1) Withdraw the portion of OUR taxes which pay for the executive's illegitimate plans which threaten both the security and well being of the people. (This is not the same, obviously, as not supporting our troops)
2) Dis-empower the members of that executive branch by impeachment.
Without using those powers, or even attempting to use those powers, all else from Congress is rhetoric. Our two Congress members from the Hudson Valley, Maurice Hinchey and John Hall, disappoint us by choosing to reject those two Constitutional powers. Will the present administration be challenged by being censured, basically reprimanded? Of course not. Does it care if it is investigated knowing the investigation will have no consequences? Not really.
If a boy in my kindergarten class grabbed a big building block, destroyed the classroom, injured other kids, and thereby broke all the rules of that little society, I wouldn't tell the other children how bad he was, reprimand him and then hand him another block!
We respect and support our local congressmen. We count on them. They are actually beloved. And therefore it is heartbreaking to contrast their words, which gave them the Congressional majority, and their present lack of action. We expect them to be courageous in both word and deed. We need to let them know we have their backs. We need to insist they take the block away. De-fund and impeach. Do not dither. Our democracy and even our earth are at stake.
Joan Walker
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
Perhaps many people in Ulster County (the silent majority of pro-choice individuals) are not aware of what is being dispensed in their midst at two places called “pregnancy support centers.”
Recently, I walked into the Pregnancy Support Center in New Paltz and met Sharon LaRose, the Executive Director. She told me that all young women who enter the Center receive a packet with brochures; she then gave me a sample of the material.
Enclosed in that packet is a brochure that would terrify any young girl, or adult for that matter. It is entitled: “The Single Most Avoidable Risk Factor For Breast Cancer Is Elective Abortion.” This is an outright lie. I have contacted scientists, medical doctors and researchers who have said that this is nonsense and is only misconstrued statistical scare tactics used by Right to Lifers (disguised as do-gooders who “support pregnancy”) to frighten young women into not having an abortion.
I will be hosting and producing a television show in the near future with one of the doctors who explained how ridiculous this brochure is...and how dangerous. These people are insidious; the majority of people in this state - both men and women - are too young to recall the days of bacterially infected wire hangers and bloody deaths from illegal abortion. Those who have had to experience abortion that is safe and legal appreciate this precious constitutional right.
There are one million abortions in America every year. Most of the women who have abortions are married; many have become pregnant while using birth control. As everyone knows, there is no method of birth control that is 100 percent effective.
Several years ago I wrote an article for The Daily Freeman about a Saugerties resident, a former member of Right to Life, who had four children and found herself pregnant after her boyfriend abandoned her and the children. She ended up agonizing over her choices, and ultimately chose reluctantly to have an abortion. She even spoke to her priest about her wrenching dilemma. I drove her to the doctor’s office in Kingston where she had the abortion in the early 1980’s. She was grateful she could have access to this procedure, as she could not financially support a fifth child, and did not want to go on welfare. She said to me: “The problem with people in Right to Life organizations (she had been an activist over the years), is that they see everything in black and white while life takes place in the gray areas most of the time.”
I am sure most Ulster County residents would agree with her assessment of the situation. I learned something from this woman. Life can turn on a dime. As a Libertarian, I believe every human being has a right to decide for him or herself what to do.
I am shocked and saddened that a Right to Life organization is disseminating untruths in a publication dispensed to vulnerable young women in crisis. This is truly abusive and unfair. The majority of Ulster County residents must not remain silent; their silence may very well endanger our constitutional rights.
Joanne Michaels
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
I used to love visiting county fairs, where I'd encounter sheep, cows, goats and rabbits - hundreds of animals polished and spit-shined for the big event. It has only been in the last decade that I've stopped attending such fairs, disturbed by what seems to me a misleading presentation of animal agriculture. Animals raised for food have anything but the contented lives that fair producers would have the public believe, and I am heartened each time more attention is drawn to the practices of agribusiness and their impact on the health of animals, humans and the planet we share.
At the same time, I live in the real world, and recognize that when it comes to culturally and historically-based habits and belief systems, change comes slowly. I might wish for the world to give up animals products tomorrow, but I know that won't happen. Through my work and my book, I encourage compassionate people to lift the veil: to learn about the lives of animals raised for food, and to ask whether they want to continue to participate in the cycle of violence and suffering.
But bull riding? At the Dutchess County Fair? I'd love to know the politics behind the decision to include such a barbaric spectacle in a progressive community's beloved fair. While it will take prolonged, Herculean efforts to encourage ordinary Americans to look honestly at their eating habits and the suffering they cause, those same ordinary Americans react with moral indignation at outright displays of torture. One need look no farther than the Michael Vick case. Bull-riding, a "sport" that induces bucking via painful jabs and caustic ointments, is torture.
Shame on the decision-makers at Dutchess County Fair.
Kathy Stevens, Director
Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
The Invasive Species Bill which passed the legislature this spring is expected to be delivered to Governor Spitzer one day this week. The Governor will have 10 days to sign the bill into law or to veto it. It is extremely important that he receive many, many letters supporting the signing of this bill.
The bill will create a permanent body, The NY Invasive Species Council (FYI, the NY Invasive Species Task Force is not a permanent body). It will also call for support of the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs). In addition, the bill calls for phasing out the use of invasive species by state agencies and public authorities and promoting the use of native species.
If this bill becomes law it will help to advance the work to prevent, control and manage invasive species in the NYS.
Please send a letter to the Governor’s office, as well as the office of his Counsel, indicating that you / your organization support the legislation, and urge him to sign the bill. Fax numbers are below, which will ensure faster delivery of your letter. You may also want to mail a hard copy.
The bill numbers are A. 9027-A (Sweeney) / S. 6117-A (Marcellino).
Please fax your letter to:
Judith Enck, Deputy Secretary for the Environment: 518-473-2344 AND David Nocenti, Counsel to the Governor: 518-474-8099
You can also write the Governor.
Also, please contact someone you know who is interested in invasive species and ask them to send a letter.
Ron Urban, Chairman
NY Trout Unlimited
Port Ewen, NY

Dear Editor;
Some of the finest wild ginseng in the world has been found here in the Catskill Mountains. This ginseng though is being depleted through poor management of the forest and education of the people who are picking wild ginseng. Following a few simple tips could get ginseng back growing the way it should be. Some major problems are the misconceptions surrounding planting ginseng seeds when you find a wild root. Here are a few tips that work:
Ginseng seeds die if they dry out, so don't take the seeds home and dry them out or plant them in bone dry ground. Ginseng seeds found this fall will not sprout next spring no matter what you do, they will sprout the following year. So here is the problem. You need to plant the seeds so they will not dry out during this time. Sometimes nature can wipe out a year's worth of seeds with a drought. You might think that you will replant the seeds when it is wet. Well that is dead wrong. Ginseng roots won't grow in a puddle or a depression. They don't like to have their feet wet as that promotes a fungus disease which kills them. Also, don't smoke or handle tobacco while messing with seeds or roots. There is a fungus which grows all over tobacco and it is deadly to ginseng. Guess what? Yep, another reason to quit if you still smoke.
I just dug a real nice root, why don't I put the seeds back where I dug the plant? Wrong. The reason is that ginseng takes certain minerals out of the soil that won't let new plants grow. The people who cultivate ginseng can't grow ginseng twice in the same patch. I don't believe they have figured it out yet so don't worry. Just move over a foot or two and plant the seeds there.
Planting seeds: Scratch the leaves off the forest floor and put the seeds about one half to an inch into the rich black dirt. Cover with dirt and then put the leaves back. The best places are around dead stumps and logs on a slope where there is 78% shade. The shade, dampness, slope, dirt type, etc. are solved by planting around ginseng's companion plants, some of which are Doll's Eye or Baneberry, Blue Cohosh, Trillium, Jack in the Pulpit, and Nettles. Don't plant around hemlock or pines, Club Moss or Oxalis, and in grassy fields or open spaces. I have found it doesn't like to grow above 2800 feet in altitude here in our Catskill Mountains.
Plants/roots under 10 years old have minimal value. They bring a poor price in the market and have not matured enough to have all the beneficial compounds that an older plant has. One more thing. Ginseng seeds that will sprout next year are available at low cost if you want to do a "Johnny Appleseed" thing. Our woods could use the help.
Thank you.
John Dinneny
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
The Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy (RELC) is now twenty-years old. When you're working close to an organization, it is sometimes easy to forget important dates. And so we were surprised to note that the RELC turned twenty in August. RELC was incorporated under NY State’s Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, and the incorporators were Nancy Copley, Harry Hansen, and Eric Hertz. We congratulate them on their foresight, good sense and determination.
In the beginning, the name of the organization was the Rondout Valley Land Conservancy. At that time, the Conservancy was not yet able to accept easements, and so the first easement, the Gordon/Farquhar farm in Stone Ridge, was actually granted to Mohonk Preserve and had to be held until the conservancy was approved as a 501c3 public charity by the IRS. That was in 1988. Two years later, the conservancy changed its name to the Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy to better describe its area of service. Since its inception, thirty-eight land owners have donated conservation easements covering more than 3,000 acres to RELC, forever protecting for future generations open farmland, forest, wetlands and other important natural resources from future development
On behalf of RELC, its current and past board members and many volunteers, we thank our easement donors and the current owners of these important properties for their dedication to preserving open space and the essential character of the region in which we chose to live.
It's pleasurable work maintaining the natural beauty of our region, and we continue to encourage others to donate easements to the conservancy for the purpose of maintaining the rural character of the Rondout-Esopus Valley.
Happy 20th Birthday, RELC. And please visit us at relanconservncy.org
The RELC Board of Directors:
Robert Anderberg, Jonathan Blair, Jac Conaway, Jen Cairo, Floyd Lattin, Paul Lenz, Walter Levy,
Peter Nelson, Zali Win

Dear Editor,
Just a note to pass on some interesting statistics I gathered from the Town of Shandaken tax roll. There are 2,048 residential properties in Shandaken. Every one has an owner, and that owner gets mailed tax bills. Where do these tax bills go?
1,115 of these bills (54%) are mailed to an address within the Town. Presumably, these are people who live in Shandaken "full-time" or most of the time. 933 of the bills (46%) are mailed "out-of-town," presumably to second-home owners who live elsewhere most of the time. Where do the 933 "out-of-town" tax bills go"
196 Manhattan
79 Brooklyn
69 Queens
15 Bronx
23 Staten Island
109 Long Island
57 Westchester/Putnam
54 Rockland/Orange/Dutch.
81 Other Ulster County
25 Other New York State
117 New Jersey
14 Connecticut
23 Florida
68 Other States
3 Outside US
John Horn
Chichester, NY