Dear Editor,
Every time Republican shills Joan and Larry Bauer write a collective letter espousing their “long-standing enrollment as Democrats“ in order to campaign for the Republican ticket as Democrats-who’ve-seen-the-light, as they have done in the last two elections, I’m astounded by the transparency of their political roles. Joan! Larry! Who do you think you’re kidding? When you think like ducks and you quack like ducks, everyone can clearly see that you are ducks.
Earl Hatleberg
Chichester, NY

Dear Editor,
If you don’t think economic growth deserves a top priority, you ought to read the latest statistics coming out of Ulster County.
One thing sticks out like a sore thumb. Since 1998 — just seven years ago — the median price of housing in Shandaken has almost tripled. It’s gone from $72,250 to $210,000 today. To afford such a median home, it takes a salary of about $65,000 according to the experts.
While taxes inevitably continue to creep upwards, we have the highest unemployment rate in Ulster Count, and we continue to lag in mean household income — $31,566 in Shandaken compared to a county-wide figure of $42,551. Add these things up and they point to a single conclusion: We’re looking at a dismal economic future.
To put that in more graphic terms, unless we get off our duffs and start putting some emphasis on economic growth and the expansion of our business tax base, we face the very real possibility of being priced out of our own town.
Does that mean we start compromising our standards on environmental protection? Absolutely not! What it does mean is that we’ve got to let go of our death grip on the status quo and stop treating economic growth like it were something almost subversive.
There’s only way that’s going to happen in our lifetime. We’ve got to stand up and get counted and demand that our future will be based on reason and reality, not the character assassination and extremism coming out of the Pete DiModicas and Kathy Nolans of the world. They are extremists, zealots who are interested only in their own distorted view of things and don’t know what give-and-take or reasonable compromise really means. They are selling us out and as long as they’re the only voices being raised, they just might succeed.
Think about it.
Harry Jameson
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
The Times of October 27, 2005 included among the "letters", one from Barbara Ellis of Boiceville which caused me to wish I was a Republican [if only for the time it took to read her "woe is us" lamentation].
Ms. Ellis wonders continuously through her letter, "where are our Democrat leaders?"; "where are the Democrat voices in the midst of the most partisan, sleazy, dishonest, profiteering White House in memory?". She continues, "where are the Democrat Leadership's and the party's opposition to Bush's day by day threatening of our national security, the shredding of the Bill of Rights, our civil liberties and the Constitution?"
Ms. Ellis takes to task "our leaders" [of the Democrat Party] for enabling and facilitating this president's disastrous policies and political ideology; for losing it's voice and for other acts of omission in performing it's purpose for existing. Her use of the "where", "when", "what", and "why" is certainly repetitive with the "who" being the focal point. However, her advice in "how" to remedy the sad state of Democrat affairs escaped me.
"When will the Democrat(ic) Leadership muster the passion to turn themselves into the worthy, formidable and unstoppable force such as their Republican adversaries are?" That's it right there! Were I a Republican my heart would sing a political song of thanksgiving for this letter, it's author and for it's appearance just a week or so prior to election day. Ms. Ellis, you don't realize how many Democrats and "fence sitters" you may have turned off to Democrat candidates on November 8th.
And poor, dear Barbara Ellis; you are still smarting over the 2000 and 2004 elections. Want a winner in 2008? Get a candidate who can win. Nominate someone who is consistent and doesn't have to explain their position either political or personal every other day. When you're explaining, you're losing.
Now for Ashley Rachel Craig of Sedona, Arizona and her campaign against nominating a friend or associate to the Supreme Court. How many weddings have you attended, Ms. Craig where the Maid of Honor and the Bride did not know each other? Likewise the Groom and Best Man? What CEO promotes a person from some obscure nook or cranny in the organization? Who do we select as Godmother/Godfather for our child's Christening or Confirmation? That's correct. It's someone whom we know quite well.
You suggest we insist on a nominee who isn't closely tied with any one politician. Well, we would have to go to Rwanda for just such a choice and I'm not sure about your wisdom in that. "Contact your local representatives before it's too late", you advise. That's not how the Constitution directs the procedure and you want us to consult our reps? They are called on at the proper time for their advice and consent and for your edification Harriet Miers would not be the first Supreme Court Justice with no prior time on a bench or Constitutional law experience.
Where was everyone and their opinion when Lyndon Johnson nominated Abe Fortes [who wore each other's clothes]? Fortes got "Borked", not because of their friendship but because Fortes was... well, he was Abe Fortes.
We are going to have nominees for the court(s) that reflect their appointing officer's social and political philosophy. Of that you may be sure, but more importantly our courts will continue to make the right decisions in spite of the malcontents and whiners.
Six days from today we will be voting and the next day we will be complaining. When you call 1-800-CRYBABY next Wednesday my first question will be, "did you vote"? No? Get off my phone!
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor, First, kudos for the courage to publish my letter identifying you as one of the foes of Shandaken, Your note at the end of my letter was edifying. It’s a glimpse into how you and your paper operate. Your paper is the lightening rod for the crazies, because your slant on most issues squares with theirs. Your tactics are their tactics. You and your group are bomb throwers. In our ten minute conversation, which you initiated, regarding the re-assessment of parcels twenty acres or more, you said you heard I worked for the Republican National Committee. I said no, for the last twenty years I worked as a political consultant overseas. Prior to that, I worked for both Republicans and Democrats. I named Abe Beam, Andy Stein, Richard Nixon, William Fitz Ryan, Bobby Kennedy and Ronald Regan. You chose the Republican National Committee and Richard Nixon. One is untrue, the other is one among many. The many being mostly Democrats. You think identifying me as a Republican will in some way discredit me, and to that end you twist the truth, and change the facts. It suits your purpose to describe me as a “political operative,” in an attempt to paint me as a stealth paid mercenary. No one pays me. My words are generated by you and Peter Di Modica’s group’s outrageous behavior over the past, present and heaven forbid what you have in store for us in the future. You’ve done this regarding Dean Gitter, Bob Cross and anyone else who disagrees with your group. Calling the Phoenicia Times a newspaper is a gross misnoma. It is a one sided, slanted partisan scandal sheet.
Your explanation as to why you didn’t answer even one of my accusations is simply untrue which is your M.O. You were silent on all of the issues I raised because you had no answer since all I said was true. Keep publishing, winter is here and your paper makes good kindling. Bob Nussbaum
Shandaken, NY
Dear Editor, This war seems more and more based on lies, less and less about defending America and spreading democracy, more and more about making fortunes for the fortunate and controlling the oil supply. Many have been killed and maimed. We continue to use depleted uranium (U238) weapons which the UN has declared a crime against humanity and which violates the Nuremburg Principles 1945, the Charter of the United Nations and the Anti-Genocide Conventions 1948, contaminating the people of Iraq with radioactivity and our own troops. This war is coming home. What do our local candidates for political office think of this ugly war, of these weapons? What do they think of military recruiters in our local schools week after week, playing war games with our children, giving them gifts and promises of college to recruit them to carry out this brutal regimen endangering their lives, their psychological and spiritual health, risking serious injury and radioactive contamination? What do these candidates think of the economic costs of this war and the diminished federal contribution to public services and the necessary increase in local taxes to maintain basic services and education? The cost of this war to our children is enormous. How can we protect them? The only political parties who oppose this war and are calling for the withdrawal of troops are the Green Party and the Working Families Party. The Green Party has good positive ideas but little chance of electing candidates. The Working Families Party cross endorses progressive candidates usually in the Democratic Party but occasionally in the Republican Party who support the needs of working class, middle class and poor people primarily in the areas of jobs, health care, housing and education. It is important for our government to support these needs because we are becoming a third world nation of rich and poor and with so much money in politics, controlling candidates, media and policy that we are losing our democracy. These are the important reasons I will vote on the WORKING FAMILIES line where their candidates also are good on local issues and hope you will too. For additional information : www.workingfamiliesparty.org

Elaine Hencke, Enlist for Peace Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor, Temporarily at least, New York State no longer has an effective death penalty law due to a court ruling objecting to certain technicalities in the law and the refusal so far of the State Assembly to reinstate capital punishment. An important meeting will be held in Kingston Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. to “End the Death Penalty for Good,” featuring Assembly Democratic representative Kevin Cahill, an opponent of the death penalty, retired New York State prison warden Stephen Dalsheim, and Sing-Sing chaplain Rev. Petero Sabume. The free public event will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, 320 Sawkill Rd. It is sponsored by Mid-Hudson New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, the UUCC1s Social Action Committee, and the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Directions from the Kingston Thruway traffic circle: Emerge from the circle at the Washington Ave. exit and get in the left lane. Turn left at the first traffic light on Sawkill Rd. It1s about a mile or so from there, on the right. Information, jacdon@earthlink.net.

Jack A. Smith New Paltz, NY

Dear Editor, The safety concerns surrounding the intersections of Wittenberg Rd., Old Rt. 28 and State Rt. 212 in Mt. Tremper have been present for over twenty five years that I am aware of. Former Chief Constable and Town Supervisor Jack Schlegel and Former Town Supervisor and U.C. Legislator Marion Umhey have been drawing attention to the dangerous potential of the intersection’s confusing design and nature for years. Until recently, the recommendations of these long time Mt. Tremper residents have gone unheeded by the State and others responsible for maintenance of the intersection. The reason always given was that the lack of any serious accidents occurring was demonstrative that no problem existed. Well, how many of you have ever made the statement following a tragedy “Why do they always wait for someone to die before they do something?” There is no denying the fact that many more people are now visiting our local communities from out of town, and their unfamiliarity with this intersection is evident by anyone who chooses to watch for a while. What also becomes readily apparent is the almost contemptuous disregard for the existing stop signs by a surprising number of drivers, not all of whom are strangers to the area. I find it interesting is that every area resident that I have spoken to readily admits that there is in fact an inherent problem with the current design and all have stories to tell about close calls experienced while negotiating this hazard. While it might be true that there is some skepticism about the effectiveness of a roundabout, there is complete consensus on the fact that a problem exists. It is a rare occurrence for the NYSDOT to actually propose fixing a traffic problem before a serious crash occurs. The NYSDOT engineers have worked cooperatively with Ulster County engineers and the U.C. Traffic Safety Board in evaluating the problems and designing a solution that most effectively addresses a unique and complicated situation. A particular concern of the engineers and the Traffic Safety Board is an acceptable incorporation of the intersection of Wittenberg Rd. and Rt. 212 into the roundabout design. I personally believe that what is being proposed will significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious crash at this intersection. I also believe that when complete, the roundabout will be an aesthetic enhancement to our community. Something with both character and functionality that will be a pleasant replacement for the unattractive and dangerous “hole” that currently exists. George Wood Mt. Tremper, NY Dear Editor, We were eastbound on 212 into Woodstock yesterday (Oct. 26) about 2:30 p m when we were stopped by an accident. A motorcyclist lay stretched full length from the south side of the road to the middle at a point east of the golf course, where a small woods road T's with 212. He was plainly dead. His cycle was nearby. He appeared to have been hit moments before by a County Waste garbage truck that was pulled into the woods road. A man from the truck was putting out flares to stop traffic from hitting the body. What bothers me especially about this story is that I seem to recall that a County Waste truck had hit and killed a motorcyclist just a week or ten days ago. If they haven't done so, the cops should have said something about this. Ann Crawford Woodstock, NY Dear Editor, When President Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to replace retiring moderate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, he demonstrated how beholden he is to the right wing of his party. Rather than President Bush leading, and seeking a consensus nominee which could unite the country, Bush's interest was in meeting the demands of the far right wing base of his party. The nomination of Judge Alito is profoundly disappointing for so many reasons, not the least of which is that his confirmation would radically transform the Supreme Court and create a direct threat to the health and safety of American women. There is a record of decisions which show Judge Alito to be insensitive to women's health needs. One example, that Planned Parenthood is familiar with, was in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, Alito stood alone and voted to uphold Pennsylvania's spousal notification requirement. In callous disregard of battered women who would be negatively affected by the statute, Alito wrote separately from the majority, to express his support a statute that would have required Pennsylvania women to notify their husbands prior to obtaining an abortion. The Supreme Court later ruled the spousal notification provision was unconstitutional, stating, "Women do not lose their constitutionally protected liberty when they marry." Samuel Alito is an ideologue who does not support the right to choose and the right to privacy. Only one vote stands between us and the loss of many of the central protections guaranteed by Roe v. Wade. This is a battle for our health and safety - and it is a battle we cannot afford to lose. The US Senate will confirm or reject this nominee. It is imperative for people to let their Senators know how important it is to keep the Supreme Court balanced. The Court must be a place for justice, not political agendas. Willa Freiband Planned Parenthood Poughkeepsie, NY Dear Editor, All political candidates for all town and county offices, regardless of party, have the opportunity to do something wonderful for all of us, whether they win or lose. They can remove their signs on election eve when the polls close. It would give them and their supporters something positive to do before the vote tallies arrive at their headquarters, and give the rest of us something to cheer about.

Jay Wenk Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor, Believe it or not rabbits in the U.S. have been styled "chickens" in order to avoid coming under an anticruelty act! Apparently chickens are considered not to be animals and therefore methods of barbaric slaughter can legitimately be carried out with impunity. Now rabbits have been included by some devious means to mean non-animal. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) love changing the meaning of commonly understood words - they even declared that ketchup was a vegetable. All this, in order to avoid the federal Humane Slaughter Act which is the law requiring animals to be rendered unconscious before they are butchered.`` This has resulted in rabbits having their throats cut whilst conscious and struggling, and others having their necks broken or struck on the head with a piece of wood. Some are hung up on a meat hook by their leg and their heads are then sawn off. Workers have numerous bites and scratch marks as a result, whilst the animals shriek with pain. Why don't you protest by contacting the USDA? They can be contacted by snail mail: Mike Johanns, secretary of agriculture, Room 200-A, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20250; or by calling (202) 720-3631, Fax (202) 720-2166 or on the net: www.hfa.org.

Shelli Lipton Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor, A hero of mine died the other day! Rosa Parks - public figures all over the world have been praising and honoring her for her courage 55 years ago, when she refused to obey an unjust law. And now Rosa's body lies in honor in the Capitol Rotunda "so that the citizens of the United States may pay their last respects to this great American." By her single act of disobedience, she ignited the Civil Rights movement all over the nation. She has been an inspiration to me and others committed to peace and social justice! I can't but wonder what our local arbiter of good character (George H.) thinks of her act? Joan Keefe Saugerties, NY

Dear Editor,
Come election day in the town of Shandaken who ever gets elected will be in a position to cut next year’s property taxes a large amount. I.e. The highway budget is almost one and a half million dollars including state aid. They had to get rid of the money so the highway has twenty six trucks, five front end loaders and a lot of other equipment. They have more equipment than any other town in New York State so the budget can be cut two hundred thousand dollars. Next can be lights. In back of the town hall there are two electric lights so close to each other that one can be eliminated, the same at the east end of the town garage, on Route 214 from the school road to Chichester ten lights can also be eliminated plus other ones in the town. On the county road from Big Indian up to Slide Mountain there is not one single light which proves that lights are not necessary. People have to drive in the dark before they get to where they want to go.
Next the police department can be turned over to the county whereby they will get more pay and better benefits. Then the four gas guzzling ex police cars can be gotten rid of with a small van for the assessors to use. At times in the past the ex cars have been illegally used.
Next the county owes the town thousands of dollars. I watched from a bird’s eye view of the county bus refueling, every other time a record was put in the mail box by the tanks the sequence never varied. It can be easily proved by the number of miles each day plus the amount of miles per gallon that the bus uses. Providing those records have not also been destroyed. The no record of every other time fueld was going on for years.
Yours truly,
Ed Ocker
Allaben, NY

Dear Editor, The Phoenicia Rotary would like to thank the following for their generous contributions at the informative Medicare Part D program presented by Blanche Duffy, Ulster County Dept of Aging: Father Chris Berean for use of the parish hall, Ulster Savings Bank, Wilber National Bank, Bank of America, Tom Crucet, Benedictine Hospital, CWC and Catskill Forest Assoc. The meeting was very informative and many questions were answered regarding the new Medicare Drug Program. Sincerely Christine Baltz for the Phoenicia Rotary

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the entire Phoenicia Community for making this year’s Halloween Parade an outstanding event. So many of you came out and once again showed the amazing creativity of this community. The costumes were extraordinary, both kids and parents. And, we couldn’t have been luckier with the weather. I also must thank the M.F. Whitney Fire Hose Company for sponsoring the parade, and for leading us safely down Main Street; to Jim McGrath and his officers for insuring a fun, safe event; to the Phoencia Rotary for the yummy donuts and cider; to Father Chris and the Francis de Sales Parish for allowing us the use of their field and hall; to Jen Dragon for the magnificent drawing which adorned our flyer and to Carl Steen and Adam Johnson for providing fantastic music. These guys are good. So, thank you all.
Maxanne Resnick
Chichester, NY