Dear Editor,
In response to Mr. Nussbaum’s letter directed at me and the members of the Shandaken Landowners Association and other members of our town, Mr. Nussbaum, do you even know me? We have never met, and you were not at the town meeting, were you? What is the real reason you decided to publish my name and others and then twist truths and lie about us? What can possess a neighbor to publicly attack another neighbor with no personal knowledge of them? So many insults and false accusations were made that it is clear you must be trying to protect a hidden interest.
The members of the Shandaken Landowners Association are both Republicans and Democrats with their own views and political beliefs, but the lawsuit has nothing to do with political motivations, contrary to what Mr. Nussbaum seems to want everyone to believe. It is obvious that Mr. Nussbaum has his own political agenda and is trying to convince readers of his point of view.
In the process, you have insulted many fellow citizens who are honestly trying to do some good for this township. Mr. Powers is a large landowner and is part of our membership. I have never said anything different in any letter you say you read. I would like everyone to know that the SLA kept these issues out of the papers for months with help of Brian Powers in hopes of not having the town board feel attacked or defensive so we could settle this with wisdom and community. Brian Powers has the right to defend his constitutional rights also. It sounds like you have a problem with someone standing up for their rights. You also stated I sucker punched Bob Cross; this is a bold face lie! You seem to think you can just say something that is not true and people will believe it? How can you try and defend someone in office who acts like he did towards me at that meeting? After Mr. Cross spit in my face because I was going to bring out the facts in public what he got after he deserved! I refuse to defend myself for defending myself and especially to you!
Finally, the truth is, we did not lose the Article 78 as Mr. Nussbaum stated. In fact it was turned down by the judge because of a technical filing date discrepancy which we completely disagreed with and have already appealed. The Article 78 is not going away and we will win. Yes it has been appealed so you can no longer say it was thrown out because it is not! It is not us who is costing the township money; it is Mr. Cross and other town officials who are costing everyone money because they knowingly broke the law and then refused to try and correct the matter! We are not attacking Mr. Cross for any reason other then what we stated so please do not try and twist the truth. Anyone who is close to this situation knows that we tried very hard to settle without cost to the town or anyone and we tried to clear this whole issue up under the radar. It was only because of sheer arrogance from our town supervisor, who decided not to meet and settle this, but instead is using tax payers’ money to defend the town’s illegal actions. How much has this already cost the town? Somebody ask Mr. Cross for the truth if he is able.
There seems to be a pattern in this town. Town officials bully people around, threatening and even extorting them unless they fall into line with their special self interests. Many people in the past have tried to go up against this small town mentality, and they have almost all lost. I am sick of hearing these types of veiled attempts to make the people of this town look bad for not going along with some people’s special interests. Just write a letter, fill it with lies, and your friends back at the Emerson will love you for it. Well Mr. Nussbaum enjoy your free drinks but do not attack me or anyone else with your lies, as we all see what you are about.
I am a peaceful family man with five children, I have never looked for a fight but when a town official comes to my home and threatens me to accept an illegal tax increase, I don’t hide. I react. My family and I are here to stay in Shandaken. This is why I began the law suit. It is not just for me and my family, but for everyone in this town who wants fair representation. I had no other recourse but to sue the town to protect my rights as a citizen of this town. I resent anyone who tries to mislead the public and make my plight to protect my constitutional rights a target for public attack. I am not alone in this situation. There are so many who have had similar experiences and that is why the Shandaken Landowners Association was formed.
I would like to point out that Mr. Nussbaum’s misleading statements and the insulting tone of his letter clearly indicate his stake in the town’s political arena and even the resort. Mr. Nussbaum, when you attack and insult me for defending my rights as an American citizen, you have crossed the line. When Mr. Cross told me that I would not be liked if I sued the town and that I would suffer for it, was it your letter that he was talking about? If so, you better dig in deeper because this Shandaken resident is not going away and will not be bullied. When people exercise their rights, and use their hard earned money to take city hall to court to bring out the truth and stand up for their rights, how dare you insult them, calling them “crazy”? You insult everything that makes our country and our laws great but most of all, you insult yourself.
All we are asking for is our rights to be heard and the law honored. Please do not listen to this garbage directed from a few who have financial or power interest in this town for whatever their reasons may be!
All my best regards to all my neighbors in Shandaken.
Peter Vinci
Shandaken Landowners Association

Dear Editor,
I am writing not on behalf of but as a founding and current Board Member of SAYS, for those of you that do not know what that is, we are Shandaken Area Youth Sports, an organization that was developed due to the lack of sports programs for the children of Shandaken and the lack of cooperation of the Town Board. When we first came to Shandaken the town Supervisor, Neal Grant, did anything we ever needed for the kids was an instant approval. With the passing of Neal Grant was also the passing of that anything for the kids’ philosophy. So SAYS began. Six years ago we had a soccer program of 100 plus kids and one field. Negotiations took place with Dean Gitter to lease and develop three fields on his Mt. Tremper property. Through the countless hours of many and donations of time, labor, equipment and money these fields were put in. SAYS and its members as well as the members and players of The Onteora Soccer League, Hudson Valley Youth Soccer League and even the Onteora High School used theses fields. Up until just a few months ago these fields were maintained by SAYS with the generous help of Ted Byron. The town of Shadaken Board and highway department would not be involved in the upkeep of the fields, up until the Highway Superintendent changed hands. We thank Keith Johnson for his help.
In case you all are not aware, SAYS entered into a 5 year lease with Kaatskill Development Partners, LLC which expired on July 31, 2006. I myself, began my quest to have the lease renewed with a letter to Kaatskill Development Partners dated February 15, 2006, in short thanking them for the past usage and explaining the need to not only renew the lease but have an answer early enough to hold the next seasons registrations and obtain insurance. I received no response. A second letter went out dated April 3, 2006, again no response. Then I began calling and did finally receive a call back from a representative of Kaatskill Development Partners. I was told that they did receive the letters and were simply busy and we would hear from them shortly. Months went by and finally I called again and was told that Dean said, “They can use the fields, there is no need for a lease as it is my property.” I presented this message to SAYS president and was reminded that our Special use permit states that the Special use permit would expire the day the lease does and would be renewed if the lease was renewed. I informed Kaatskill Development partners of this and the fact that we could not obtain insurance on a piece of property that we did not own or at best lease. Again I was reminded of the fact that they were very busy with what must have been more important issues. All of this correspondence and unanswered call took place long before a sign was place in our front yard that obviously offended Mr. Gitter. A sign that was the direct effect of one person that himself put countless hours up keeping and maintaining theses fields for the past 5 years. I can only imagine how the individuals and businesses that donated time, money and equipment to see this project happen must feel now that there is no existing lease with SAYS on those fields, thus making the special use permit null and void. What use does Kaatskill Development Partners have for this property? I guess we will all see soon enough.
As for the rumor that the town will now hold the lease? I have seen no evidence that this is the case and even been told by Board Members that they know nothing about this. I still must question why after all this time does the Town Board want this?? Really so far the only thing that has been accomplished is that the Town of Shandaken’s kids have no soccer program and can not play in the Onteora Soccer League with their peers. Another big loss will be The James A. Cordo tournament that also began shortly after SAYS began and was a positive community event each year since. So we have diverted back to the lack of sport programs available to our kids. SAYS was willing to provide the program, insurance, equipment needed to run the program, however without a lease on the fields this is not possible. I would like to whole heartedly thank the present and past Board Members, most of which have been Board Members since SAYS was formed. All these members children have long since either outgrown the program or have moved onto bigger programs but these people still continued to provide this program for the kids of Shandaken.
I will end this by once again thanking everyone who has supported SAYS over the years and everyone that took place in the effort to put in the Mt. Tremper Fields. Unfortunately it appears that everyone that helped with these fields helped Kaatskill Development Partners develop a piece of property under a 5 year mask of supplying soccer fields for the area youth. I wanted people to fully understand why SAYS will no longer run recreational soccer for the town of Shandaken. It is simple our lease was not renewed. On a positive note The James A. Cordo Tournament will go on, another township has graciously offered to host the event.
Donna Fischer
SAYS Board Member

Dear Editor,
Regarding The Charter
I do not belong to any political party: however, I regularly attend legislative meetings as an involved citizen.
I believe that Ulster County’s fiscal woes have more to do with the legislative system than the legislators. Ulster County Government has become a very complex, multi-million dollar operation. Under the existing system we have part time legislators overseeing agencies with little, or no information, as to how cost-effective they are. The legislators, by necessity, have to rely on what they’re being told by department heads, whose primary concern is creating the best department they can, regardless of cost.
"Regardless of cost" has become a nightmare for Ulster County’s taxpayers.
....and, speaking of costs, very soon the legislature must decide what to do with the County infirmary. It must either be sold or rebuilt. It may be that the county has a moral obligation to maintain the infirmary; however, can we afford another run-away capital project.
Such as:
The Persen House... Ulster County received a $ 350,000 grant to renovate this historic building and put it to some civic use. They stopped sinking money into it at the 2 million dollar mark and it is believed that it will take an additional 650,000 to 1 million dollars to complete the project. The building remains vacant, and looks like it will stay that way into the foreseeable future.
The Department of Probation Building went from an estimated $ 890,000 in renovations to over 2.8 million by the time it was completed. Or should I say almost completed. .
Ulster County Courthouse... In 1996 the courthouse went through an extensive renovation to the tune of 5.7 million dollars. In 2003 someone noticed that the roof was caving in. Cost an additional $ 820,000.00
Need I mention The Jail?
Need I say more?
In November we will be voting on whether or not to adopt a new form of County government.
I believe that we need to give real power to county wide elected officials (Executive and Comptroller) and make them, and the department heads they appoint, accountable. I will be voting YES for The Charter and I hope this letter convinces you to do the same.
Thomas Kadgen
Shokan NY

Dear Editor,
I am writing as the Chairman of the Legislature with regard to Legislator Susan Zimet's attendance, or reported lack thereof, at the recent Public Hearing and Special Session held on August 23 to discuss the Charter.
Legislator Zimet had scheduled a family vacation out of the area. She had advised me of this far in advance. At the time that she and I discussed her vacation, the Public Hearing and Special Session were not scheduled.
On August 9, our regular session was held and it was at this time that a determination was made that a Public Hearing and Special Session needed to be scheduled during the upcoming weeks. With summer arriving, a number of Legislators had family vacations already planned, children needing to be transported to college, etc. There were several Legislators absent the night of the Public Hearing and Special Session.
In the more than two years she has served, Legislator Zimet has never missed a regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Legislature. Her first outing after a bad car accident last year was to attend the monthly meeting, in pain, even though I advised her to stay home. This year she has become Chairman of the Arts, Education, Tourism and Community Relations Committee and has re-arranged her personal life to accommodate meetings. She also took on the task of overseeing a Budget Reform Committee which required meeting time in addition to other Committee work and Boards she is assigned to. All of this and yet, she is being taken to task for missing a meeting due to a family vacation?
She has been conscientious of not scheduling any appointments that would conflict with her routine meetings. Unfortunately, politics can get quite dirty and if it were not for the fact she is running for another political office, the truth is her absence wouldn't have been pointed out just as it has not been pointed out for any of the others.
David B. Donaldson, Chairman
Ulster County Legislature

Dear Editor,
I would like to commend the committee that put so much time and effort into creating the Onteora 2006-2007 calendar that we received recently. They did a terrific job putting together the pictures and short writeups that made the history of our school district come to life.
I'm also glad that they mentioned the part Helen Cordo played over the years with the Poppy Court at Phoenicia Elementary School in one of their writeups.
As an Olive resident, retired teacher aide, and parent of former Onteora students I really enjoyed and appreciated it. Thank you!
Nancy Harian
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
Many thanks to The Phoenicia Times for keeping its readers informed on the Belleayre Resort saga. The appointment of pro-developer Alan Steinberg as the Environmental Protection Agency's Regional Administrator for the Catskills seems a classic example of setting the fox to guard the henhouse.
New York State should reclaim through eminent domain the land for the proposed Belleayre Resort as a public safety measure to preserve the purity of the Catskill watersheds and reservoirs.
Eleanor Bell
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
The recent craclkdown on prostitution in the Cilty of Kingston led to some unfortunate consequences for people, and, at the same time, highlighted a number of issues - sex in the city, drugs, community leaders, news coverage, media responsibility, police priorities... .
All of the outcomes were relatively predictable. But the big surprise for me was the price point... $500 for the service, with no other frills - "straight sex" said the newspaper. That's astounding.
Let's assume that the 8 people caught were only 25% of the available market that evening. 32 transactions at $500 equals $16,000. Assuming a 350 day year (no work on any religious holidays), that's $5,600,000 per year. Now let's tax this at the current sales tax of 8.0% and let's add a special tax. Call it an entertainment tax, of 10%. That's $1,008,000. With all of the new taxes being proposed and the various ways that the government is finding to take our money, why not this? Legalize and tax. We all know that prostitution has a long history, and has a large audience covering all age groups - (by the way, a "hats off' to the 76 year old fellow who was caught in the sting).
We would accomplish a few things if this were legalized: 1. Additional tax revenue for a local government that seems to have an insatiable need to raise taxes 2. End to the link between prostitution and drug use (the ladies would become employees of a company - Let's call it "Pleasure Inc." and Pleasure Inc. would require monthly drug tests. The company motto could be "While we say "yes" to many things, we say "no" to drugs".) 3. The police could move on to more serious crimes, like unsolved murders. With prostitution legalized and the drug market diminished, we might not need as many police, thereby saving tax dollars.
The problem would be the current law. I suppose that New York State would have to pass a law allowing prostitution. That shouldn't be a problem. We still have the leading members of the Axis of Taxes. Fresh from their work on the Large Parcel Law, our Assemblyman (Mr. Cahill) and our State Senator (Mr. Bonacic) could handle this. They get the law passed in Albany, allowing local towns and cities to legalize prostitution. When some of their constituents object, they tell them, as they did with the Large Parcel Bill - “we didn’t do it. It wasn’t us, Kingston or Woodstock or ... legalized it.” Cahill and Bonacic are both very good at this “shell game.”
Additional tax money (probably paid with a smile), reduction of drug use, and better focus for law enforcement... there are few programs today that could accomplish all of this.
Warren Davis
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
The Town of Shandaken has a museum!!! It has been open 20 years, how many of you know it exists? The Town Board has chosen to ignore it.
It is popular with people doing geneology, people who used to live here, old timers, and people from other areas, even other countries. But within our own town it's passed over.
I have been involved with the museum since its conception and have finally come to the conclusion that there is no future for a museum in the town of Shandaken.
The museum receives no money from the town; has no budget. The roof leaked and they did put a new roof on but the damage caused is still evident. There are ceilings ready to fall, walls crumbling, paint badly needed inside and out. It still needs gutters to stop the erosion of the soil and building under the eaves. The windows are literally rotting out and some are broken.
The library is asking for a budget of $83,000 from 54,500? They receive monies from other sources also. The museum budget is $0. There is something wrong with this picture. It seems to me the Town must either recognize and take care of the museum or close it.
It appears to me they have already chosen the latter - a slow death for the one cultural edifice the town has to offer. It is a shame the people of the Town of Shandaken have chosen to disavow their heritage.
Nancy T. Smith
Pine Hill, NY

Dear Editor,
Have you visited the Phoenicia Library lately? In addition to our extensive collection of books, including access to the Mid-Hudson Library system collection, and our upstairs Angling Parlor, we offer special classes and programs to appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests such as reading readiness, fly-tying, chess club, poetry readings, book discussion groups, sewing and origami. It’s wonderful to see is so much positive energy from our library director, staff and board members and from the community. In June and July we held two community planning meetings and began putting together a long-range plan for the library. There was so much support expressed at those meetings and recognition of the Phoenicia Library as a vital hub of the community. It is, however, becoming increasing difficult to continue to provide this level of service as our operating expenses, particularly fuel costs, have continued to rise. In addition to this, funding from the county has been cut in half. The library’s income, and therefore its expenditures, is far below the state and national averages. We want to continue to move forward and expand our services. We can do this with your help and support. I urge you to vote yes on November 7 for the referendum to increase the town’s funding of the library. The increase of $28,450 will cost the average homeowner approximately two dollars a month. What a bargain for all that the Phoenicia Library has to offer!
Veronica Rowe, President
Phoenicia Library Board

Dear Editor,
The Shandaken Eagle Day Committee wishes to offer many thanks to all the volunteers who donated their time and enthusiastic talents to the very successful Shandaken Eagle Day Celebration.
Thanks are due also to the community and many visitors who supported and enjoyed our efforts. See you next year, August 25th, 2007 to celebrate Shandaken Day in beautiful Pine Hill.
Thanks to all volunteers: Craig Appolito, Brett and Wendy Barry, Sophie Bodge, Evelyn Bennett, Tom Crucet, Father Chris Berean, Jeff Collins, Jim Collins, John Crawford, Helen Cordo, Autumn Carter, Iris Carter, Rev. Ralph Darmstadt, Larry Feehan, Dennis Frano, Glenn Ford, Hope Gilsinger, Katherine, Maureen, Scott, and Mary Gormley; Jacqueline Guglielmetti, Tom, Sean and Ryan Hickey; Patricia Heinz, Blake Killin, Robert Kalb, Stephen LaMarca, Glenn Miller, Karen Miller, Bill Lohre, Joanne Myers, Frank Nazzaro, Paul Pettinato, Matt Persons, Christian Neal, Tiffany Neal, Dave, Rolland, Beecher, Wade, Rebecca and Tanya Smith, Jennifer and John Simone, R.J. and Storm Stanley, Adam Steen, Henry Rope, Leighann Sharon, Carol Seitz, Marian, Kevin and Patty Umhey; Mark and Andrew Wilsey, Bruce Winchell. Music: Peggy Mulligan, Harry Jameson, Earl and Maryann Pardini, Peter Halvorsen, Dennis Havel, Bruce Hildebrand, James Krueger, Keith Holmquist, Michael Kelly. Eagle Makeover: Dakin Morehouse, Leon Taufield, Denis McLane, Eric Morehouse, Jim Fletcher, Jane Floege. Thank you to: WWI Re-enacting group and Guy Gormley, Mike Ricciardella, Phoenicia Hotel, Boiceville Market, Shandaken Highway Dept., Shandaken Fire Companies, Shandaken Ambulance Service, Shandaken Police Dept., St. Francis de Sales R. C. Parish, Ulster County Sheriff Dept., Fish and Game Club, Phoenicia Rotary Club, the Beast of Belleayre, Ulster County Rural Transportation, Ambest Emblems, and the Shandaken Town Board
June LaMarca, Chairman
Committee: Joe Munster, Gene Gormley, June LaMarca,
Maureen Nagy, Bob Stanley,
Bruce Barry, Dakin Morehouse, Declan Feehan, Laurilyn Frasier, Harry Jameson, Bob Cross

Dear Editor,
If the Oil War mongers of Iraq were handed Bin Ladin on a silver platter, they would reject him by saying he smelled too bad. Otherwise they would have to get out of Iraq and stop the murder of women and children which they call expendable.
Ed Ocker
Shandaken, NY

Dear Editor,
My brain reminded me the other day of the humiliation, nay the downright prejudice, that I and others of my ilk have suffered over the centuries at the hands of the majority. Michaelangelo, Picasso, Einstein and I have been labeled gauche. Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Queen Victoria and I, with our left-handedness, have suffered the majority’s snickers and brickbats. Bob Dylan, Jimi, Ringo, Tiny Tim and I plink our ukuleles with our left hands.
To all you righties I say: E equals M C squared, Gaul is divided into three parts, and We are not amused, baby. Get my drift?
Lefty (aka J. Michael O’Neil)
Vernon, CT

Dear Editor,
I have been a resident of this area for almost thirty years and a visitor and Belleayre Mountain skier for even longer.
I recently attended a local input session on the subject of the renewing of New York City’s filtration avoidance permit. Of all the people who spoke, I thought Sen. John Bonacic represented our interests best. He was forceful, clear and articulate without being strident or pugnacious. It was evident that he was committed to seeing that our best interest was not completely subsumed by the interests of New York City.
Soon we will be skiing on Belleayre Mountain again and enjoying a new, hi-speed quad lift. More important, so will many first time visitors. This new lift will allow Belleayre Ski Center to attract a whole new group of skiers and families and further fulfill its critical function as the engine that drives our local economy. This “shot I the arm” will be greatly enhanced by the new main lodge that is scheduled for construction next year.
We have many people to thank for the funding for these vital upgrades but central to the effort was Senator Bonacic.
I am neither a registered Democrat nor Republican but I am thankful that we have Sen. Bonacic representing us in Albany.
Sincerely,
Thomas H. White
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
This letter has taken me one year, three months, two weeks, and two days to finally write. In short, that comes to 444 days. As of this writing, that’s how long it has been since 7/7/05 -- the date listed on the building permit that’s posted on the door of Phoenicia Films. Building began on Phoenicia Films’ porch project, as I recall, during the summer of 2005. When it wasn’t completed by Fall, common sense led me to believe it would be done before Winter. When winter ended, I figured that in Spring we would finally see the project completed. Surely I thought, no business owner would leave a construction site unfinished in the middle of Main Street during the busy tourist season. My final hope for its completion was the coming of the Shandaken Day celebration. Well, as the leaves start turning with the arrival of another Fall, Phoenica Films continues to remain an eye-sore in the heart of our village. I just hope this porch project won’t take another 444 days to complete.
This frustrating situation has, however, made me even more grateful to those Phoenicia business owners who continually maintain and improve their properties. I thank you for all of your hard work. I just wish a few others would take the same pride in our village.
Patrick Kern
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
What a wonderful visit we had from His Holiness the Dalai Lama! Shandaken and Woodstock were indeed very fortunate to play host to such a memorable event. Thank you Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, for allowing us all to share a special moment together with him.
Brian Shapiro
UC Legislator, Dist 2