Dear Editor,
I am writing to invite the involvement of all constituents in the Onteora Central School District Community in an important series of meetings with our architects that will take place in the weeks ahead.
As you may know, our Board of Education has employed an architectural firm to conduct a thorough analysis of our buildings and grounds so that thoughtful decisions can be made about the future use of our facilities.
Key issues under discussion include the future use of the West Hurley Elementary School (the Levins Building and the Ryan Building), the location of a separate and distinct Middle School, and renovations needed to upgrade instructional space, infrastructure, safety and energy efficiency at all of our schools.
The architects have completed extensive tours at each of our facilities and have met with the Board of Education, the administration and the Commission for the Future of the District. Meetings have been scheduled for them to meet with faculty members and other employees. Their goal is to gather as much information as possible from members of each group regarding our facilities before they bring recommendations to our Board of Education. It is the ideal time to share both practical and innovative ideas, dreams and visions for the future of Onteora.
Now is the time for members of our community to speak up and offer suggestions, ask questions and participate in a dialogue with our architects. I hope that you will consider attending one of the meetings that has been planned for PTA and Community Members. Your input is important to us! Here is the schedule:
Monday, November 28 at 6 p.m. at Phoenicia Elementary School
Thursday, December 1t at 6 p.m. at Woodstock Elementary School
Monday, December 5 at 6 p.m. for West Hurley School at Woodstock Elementary School
Monday, December 12 at 6 p.m. at the High School/Middle School
Monday, December 19 at 6 p.m. for the Bus Garage & Central Administration at the High School/Middle School
If you can't attend the meetings, and you have input to share, please either email me (jwinters@onteora.k12.ny.us) or call me at the District Office (657-8851). I will be glad to listen to your suggestions and questions and bring them forward at our meetings. This is an exciting time for the Onteora Central School District when each of us can have a voice in plans for future generations of Onteora students. I look forward to seeing many community members at our meetings.
Justine Winters, Superintendent
Onteora Central School District

Dear Editor,
Sadly, this letter is not germane to anything in the Phoenicia Times but I find both incidents quite interesting and remarkable for the callousness and "devil may care" attitude(s).
The Seattle Times of November 11, 2005 carries an account of a fight breaking out in a Tacoma courtroom after a 19 year old man is sentenced to 30 years for first-degree murder. The antagonists are the family of the convicted perpetrator one of whom yelled out following the sentencing , "the man [the victim] was 69 ; he wasn't going to live forever". The brawl lasted for 20 seconds before Sheriff's deputies broke it up and detectives were going to run the video to determine if any laws were broken.
The victim was a Navy submarine veteran and used a cane following hip replacement when he was attacked by three young men aged 17, 19 and 21. The 17 and 21 year old are awaiting trial on the same first degree murder charges.
The remark that the 69 year old victim "wasn't going to live forever" is absolutely true, though bizarre and the perpetrator's family believes that prison time should be based on the victim's age at the time of "execution". Perhaps sentencing in capital crimes should be determined by the insurance companies who are experts in life expectancy and let the judges just "legislate" from the bench. Instead of the family counting their blessings for the prison term in lieu of the death penalty they became angry, belligerent and menacing. That's real gratitude.
The second account is from my own experience watching the evening news the last few evenings. [Yogi declares, "you can see a lot by watching"]. It is a scene of a US Senate hearing room in which American Oil Barons are about to be questioned on their alleged gouging of the American automobile and truck operators. Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, the committee chairman was in the process of denying the committee and the American people of the time tested practice of administering the oath [to tell the truth] to these oil company CEO's. When Senator Barbara Boxer of California requested a committee vote as to whether the oath would be given or not Senator Stevens became quite arrogant and nasty in denying that simple exercise. Sen. Stevens is a Republican who would deny a fair and revealing hearing for whatever reason and it is these tactics among others that let corporate pirates break the [moral] law with impunity. Won't it be delightful when Kenneth Lay [of Enron fame] comes before a committee and avoids prosecution for possible or probable lying. Lay will most likely be immunized from prosecution for testifying so "truthfully".
Rafael Palmeiro, a major league player obviously had to take the oath last October when testifying before a congressional committee in relation to using steroids and vitamin B-12. Perjury charges for Palmeiro were avoided this week in a 40 page report while Senator Stevens was acting the role of potentate par excellence.
My question to Sen. Stevens [and other high and mighty defenders of the current Washington mind set] is this; Is the alleged use of steroids by a sports figure more serious than the oil moguls reaching into our pockets and stealing more than what is fair just because they can.
Now that the Democrat party has thrashed the Republican legislators of Ulster County and removed that bit of arrogance we need to move to the next level. Remember our Military folks and their families. Some "talking heads" declare that "if you support the troops, you support the war". Yeh, right!
I still wonder what we are doing in Iraq. I appreciate a "good" old fashioned war and have myself participated in a couple. Many veterans of various conflicts just today [Nov 11] registered their displeasure with the charade in Iraq for numerous reasons while marching in or observing the parade. "Unidentifiable enemy" was the main concern. "They did nothing to us was another. WWII vets were the most confused.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
Now that the mud-slinging of the recent political campaign is over and done with, I would like to direct our collective attention to one of the real jewels of the Town of Shandaken, namely, the Phoenicia Public Library (PPL).
Yes, of course I voted, and I hope the results of the election serve our town, and all of us, certainly as well as do the PPL and its stellar staff of dedicated professional public servants.
I have owned a home in Chichester for twenty years. I am in the process of moving in full time. I am also changing careers, having left Manhattan corporate work for the world of libraries: I am pursuing a Master of Library Science degree, and in 2006 I will become an academic Librarian. I intend to work up here, within but a few miles of my home.
I am reading about and debating the transformation that libraries are undergoing. Gone are the days of all-knowing librarians whom patrons approached reluctantly and with all due deference. Gone are the days of patrons being shushed. Gone, too, are the days of the library being a silent temple ruled over by a distant figure with absolute control over the system to access knowledge. What will replace that library is being hotly debated.
Some librarians want to retain the library of yesteryear. Other librarians argue for a new library model. Here, in Phoenicia, we are extremely lucky: we already have tomorrow’s Library. Articles in Library publications discuss the library as a Commons, a community space where people can read, compute, email, play chess, hang out with friends and family, maybe bring their dogs, a community resource, not a sterile laboratory where librarians exercise power.
I do hope that sounds familiar, because that is what we have in Phoenicia. Under Director Regina Johnson, PPL is one the new libraries, a community commons. With a dedicated staff of professionals and volunteers, she runs the Library as a labor of love, for the good of our community.
In one Library School research project, I analyzed PPL, contrasting it to the New York Public Library. In absolute dollar terms, PPL is but tiny, compared to NYPL’s $200 million budget; NYPL’s per capita expenditures are three times as large as PPL’s. Yet, I argued, take away the big four NYPL libraries, and Phoenicia does comparably great work – if not better. In fact, I argue(d), Phoenicia does greater work with fewer dollars.
Phoenicia’s Library has a small, cramped space (a condition its staff and many of its patrons and friends hope to solve soon enough), a frayed plant, and no stone lions guarding the outside of its front entrance, but it does have Petula and Magnus inside its one entrance. Its management and staff are the intellectual equals of NYPL’s, and have far more enthusiasm and élan than their city brethren, for they have and want to do more with less.
In Manhattan’s Upper East Side being a Friend of NYPL is a pastime; Rae Stang (she of Lucky Chocolates) and I plan to start a Friends of Phoenicia Public Library, soon. We will do it not as a badge of honour, but as a labor of love. Just as everything connected with PPL, from its Board of Trustees to its dogs, everyone connected with PPL loves this jewel of a Library.
I wish more Phoenicians and neighbors knew about, and used, PPL, so that they, too, would enjoy its offerings and programs: origami, poetry readings, chess on Friday afternoons, and story hour, among many. More than the programs, there are the people of PPL, the staff, our neighbors, our dogs, too. For me, going to the Library is a joy, a pleasure, a delight. It is a nice place to go, to see old friends and make new ones.
Libraries are intellectual centers of our communities, pillars of our democracy. Corny as it might sound, to have the freedom to go into a library and read what you wish to, without fear of being censored or investigated, is the essence of democracy. In the Phoenicia Public Library, we have a magnificent resource, a gateway to the world of knowledge and intellectual freedom.
Use it.
Sal Weir
Chichester, NY

Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Shandaken Democratic Committee many thanks to the people of Shandaken who supported our campaign and candidates in the recent election. We're particularly grateful to those of you who realized your vote was less about political affiliation and more about supporting our candidates and their desire to bring respect to our government and vibrancy to our town.
We will continue to work for you and our community .
Sincerely,
Dave Pillard, Treasurer
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
To every one who supported me by voting, encouraging, phoning, mailing, ad making, fund raising or any of the jobs that go into the backing of a candidate, you have my deepest gratitude. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Peter DiSclafani
Mount Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
Thank you to everyone who supported me in the election of Assisstant Assessor. I pledge to do my very best for Shandaken, a town I call home.
Lynn Davidson
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
Thank you Ulster County Legislative District 2... Thank you all! The road to the Ulster County Legislature has been a truly incredible experience. I am the luckiest candidate of all because my friends and supporters are absolutely among the best. I deeply appreciate the tremendous support and positive energy I received from all the people I met throughout the district, whether at Meet-and-Greet gatherings, door-to-door visits, or outside the post office. You made it happen and for that, I thank you.
If I were to try to name all the people who made this candidacy possible, I would be at it for a long time, and probably still miss many.
I must however, recognize my unparalleled election committee. Their efforts and abilities went far beyond their number and I could not have done it without them, nor would I have wished to.
Congressman Maurice Hinchey and his staff, as well as Assemblyman Kevin Cahill were beyond helpful and kept me going with their words of confidence. Then there were the many Legislators who advised me on the issues and appeared with me throughout the campaign, in support. The Ulster County Treasurers Office and Administrators Office were instrumental in providing information that detailed the financial problems we are facing, so I could accurately present information when asked. The Democratic Committees in Denning, Hardenburg, Shandaken, Saugerties and Woodstock were without a doubt, the framers of the campaign, from the County Caucus on out! My grateful thanks to everyone on those committees and their volunteers for their endorsements and hard work.
There were many people who were generous in their financial support of the campaign. Without their help, there couldn't have been a campaign.
I appreciate and applaud all the performers and musicians who helped make my events so successful, and so much fun. Then of course, there were the business people who donated to the campaign and created venues that made our events possible. The many hosts of "meet ant greet" parties, allowed me to get my message to their neighbors and friends on a personal basis.
I made many friends and learned a lot more about people I already knew, and in the process, I learned new things about myself. For that, I am especially grateful.
During this campaign, we had the opportunity to raise issues and identify, where, as a government we need to improve. I believe many of the people who were involved or influenced by the campaign, are motivated to demand government be accountable. We have a lot of work ahead, many promises to keep, and processes to evaluate.
Again, thank you all. I look forward to representing District 2 along with Brian Shapiro and working with all members of the Ulster County Legislature towards resolving the serious problems facing us, and to help shape a government that is both pro - and inter-active.
Don Gregorius
Democratic Legislator Elect
Ulster County District 2

Dear Editor,
I am writing in regard to the article in the Kingston Freeman dated Thursday, Nov. 10. Some one has said the vote counting was considered reckless “especially in Phoenicia.” We don’t know who or why someone would make this remark, although various names have been mentioned.
As election inspectors, we all worked hard and diligently to the best of our ability. We counted, checked and double checked the vote - where did we go wrong? If there is doubt, please let us know or are you afraid? We’d like to know. This article was very embarassing not only to the workers, but the town as well.
We believe a retraction and apology is in order!!
Hope Gilsinger
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
"Shandaken Challenger not ready to concede". This was the heading at the top of the Region section of the Daily Freeman on Thursday, November 10th 2005. If it isn't already becoming increasingly embarrassing enough to live in the town of Shandaken because of the political divide made so public with the help of this biased publication, now we have Mr. DiModica claiming "Shandakengate". When asked what he thought of the unofficial results by Jay Brayman Jr. (an unbiased journalist if I ever saw one; yea right!) DiModica is quoted as saying "The town is still quite divided". It's because of attitudes like DiModica's supported by publications like this and their correspondents that this town is divided and will ultimately remain so for a long time. What was accomplished during DiModica's tenure as Town Supervisor? I can't think of anything spectacular. If he wants a legacy they should put a statute of him out back of the town hall where he spent a better portion of his time with his "hands free" phone having "private" conversations so his co-workers didn't know what the conversations consisted of. Now there is open Government at work for you. In the past two years Bob Cross accomplished more for this town than anyone since the late great Neil "Curley" Grant. Enough said. Yes the race was close but that was to be expected. It's possible that after all the absentee ballots are counted (or were counted depending on when this gets published) that the results could be changed and DiModica comes out ahead. But, for a want to be Supervisor who should be stressing the importance of political impartiality and unbiased cooperation to help get this town together again to make statements like "the recount is important because DEMOCRATS watching the polls reported that the vote counting, especially in Phoenicia, was done recklessly" speaks volumes about where his personal agenda is coming from. It would have been too "unbiased" for him to just simply state that he is waiting for all the absentee ballots to be counted before he concedes. It would have been to "un-liberal" like for him to simply just quietly wait it out. Regardless of the outcome Bob Cross should be commended for the last two years and I hope that the recount doesn't (or didn't) change anything.
Drue Lynch
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
Did Saddam have chemical weapons? NO, but we do!
Recently an appalling story from a brave soldier with a conscience has emerged but, as usual, it is being covered up. WE ARE MELTING PEOPLE IN IRAQ! Yes, melting people, including women and children, with a chemical weapon called white phosphorous. This courageous soldiers first hand account said “I received the order use caution because we had used white phosphorus on Fallujah. In military slag it is called 'Willy Pete'. Phosphorus burns the human body on contact--it even melts it right down to the bone.”
How can we, the American people, let this happen? Can you even imagine what being melted to death feels like? Don’t be fooled by Bush’s cowboy ways, he knows and doesn’t care, he's gotta win at all costs! Apparently, it’s just an unfortunate dirty side of his righteous crusade. I wonder what Jesus would do?
P.S. Don't forget that we have killed 30,000 (or more) Iraqi's. Thats way more than Saddam. Who wins?
David Turan
USAF Veteran, Iran-Iraq War
Stamford, NY

Dear Editor,
Corpses in an open grave. A huge old warehouse. A huge furnace. A cemetery, or rather, a place where bodies were in unmarked graves, secretly and illegally. I was about to be part of this or was I already part of it? There were people about, youths who I had to chase away. I decided to call the police and not be a part of it, put a stop to it. I called 911. I said, "I have discovered some dead bodies," and I was immediately cut off. I turned around there were four distinguished men in suits looking at me. I realized they had intercepted my call. I had not given the police the name of the street were I was but hoped they could trace my call.
Is this dream of a death factory, the death factory that the Bush administration and the Congress and we, the American people, have created in Iraq?
Robert Jacobson
Mt. Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
Shandaken Area Youth Sports and Helen Cordo would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters of the James A. Cordo Memorial soccer tournament. FC-Elite. James brothers, Barry and Douglas; Miss Kitty’s Salon, Phoenicia Pharmacy, Tiso’s, Brio’s, The Nest Egg, Boiceville Supermarket, Boiceville Florist, Phoenicia Wines and Liquors, The Country Store, Michael Iapoce and Phil Kerschner, The Kern Family and Cathy Neal for her baked goods. We would also like to thank Kate, Claire and Andrew Wilsey Tyler and Corey Fischer for their help. Congratulation goes out to Woodstock for their win and with any luck Shandaken will be able to enter a team next year! If you wish to donate , sponsor or volunteer for next years event contact us at Shandakencoach@aol.com.
Helen Cordo &
The folks at SAYS

Dear Editor,
We would like to invite everyone to participate in a very special event. For the very first time, the Onteora Girls Varsity Softball Team has the opportunity to attend spring training in Orlando, Florida. Spring training is an invaluable way to prepare for the upcoming softball season. We need your help in order to make this trip possible.
Here’s how you can help:
1. In order to raise the needed funds, the girls will be holding a silent auction on December 10th from 1 to 4 PM at Hickory BBQ on Route 28 in Kingston. Please consider contributing an item to our silent auction. Items that we are looking for include: gift baskets, wine, holiday décor items, food items and books.
2. We invite you to attend the auction and encourage you to bring a friend. There is an admission price of $10 per person and includes a light lunch provided by Hickory BBQ.
3. Another way that you can help is to make a donation directly to the softball team. For a donation of $1000, you can sponsor one of the players. However, donations of any amount are welcome.
Thank you in advance for your support of this important event. Together we can make a difference!
Marie Shultis, Parent Coordinator
(845)417-1483