Dear Editor,
Surprise, Surprise. The government needs more money. The government always needs more money. We citizens don’t love it, but as long as it’s fair, within reason, and is even handed, we pay. No surprise our local government needs more money. There are about 3,300 residents in Shandaken. About 250 of us, around 8 percent, have been singled out for increased property assessments. The reason: We are lucky enough, or unlucky enough to own 20 acres or more. Horrors. How un-Anti-American of us to own something. Does this sound fair? Even-handed? Anything like the American way? To me it sounds like unfair targeting, arbitrary and capricious criteria, and the first shot in class warfare. I hope not. I love what the Bob Cross administration has stood for and stood up for. As opposed to the past administration and the past administration’s admirers, the Cross administration carries themselves like mature grown-ups. On this issue they’ve lost their way. Temporarily I hope If this is permitted to stand, we are all open to arbitrary targeting for increased assessments. It’s only we 250 now out of 3.300 but what if it’s decided houses 20 years old or newer, or houses with additions or alterations within the past 20 years will be targeted?
If this stands, anything goes. If you think this is worth fighting against, write the newspaper, write the administration, write Bob Cross, write Rosalie Boland. 250 of us hardly gets their attention,. More of us might be harder for them to ignore.
Bob Nussbaum
Shandaken, NY

Dear Editor,
There has been a lot of debate recently about cellular communication or the lack thereof in the Town of Shandaken. We are not unique in our want or need for a cellular communication system. Shandaken is also not unique in its desire to protect its natural resources. As a community minded citizen and businessman I talk to people every day but have not met a person who has expressed the desire to keep a reasonable cellular communication system out of the town. To the contrary most people want cell service and some don’t care how we get it.
In its attempt to attract cellular service the town board formed a committee that looked at the possibility of a law that spelled out what would be required for cellular facilities. The law is supposed to make it easier for cellular facilities as it would identify where they could be placed, how they were to be constructed and significant other rules and regulations about their operation.
The draft Telecommunication Law has been reviewed at a public hearing and again not one person spoke out against cellular service. Like everything else in Shandaken there are many sides to the story, in this case there are people who just want basic service, another group wants that service at any price without regard to the placement of facilities, visual aesthetics, environmental impact or the future concerns. Others in the community want cellular service but also want to control the placement of the facilities, minimize adverse visual impacts, provide for a complete and thorough EIS and assure the ability to provide adequate cellular service for a significant portion of the Shandaken community. What has become clear in this debate is that the people of Shandaken have finally agreed on one thing; “We Want Cell Service!”
The law as it is proposed goes a long way to address some key concerns. It addresses regulating their location, and numbers through co-location while minimizing adverse visual effects through proper design, sighting and screening of facilities. What it does not do is assure adequate coverage for a significant portion of the Shandaken community.
Along with the Telecommunication Law we need a plan for implementation. We should sit down with representatives from all of the service providers and let experts identify what technology, or combination of technologies will give us the best possible service for the people of Shandaken. “We Want Cell Service!”
Cellular communication is not the only problem we face in Shandaken, Emergency Service Communication is also lacking. This is not a new problem; the basic need for emergency service communication has been identified, documented, studied, and ignored for years. Although the law allows for the placement of emergency communication antennas on a tower or structure there is no assurance that it will be implemented or funded. We have an opportunity to address this problem with the law, but it falls short of a guarantee to improve this basic service for the public’s welfare and safety. “WE Need Cell Service!”
The biggest problem with the law as it is proposed is the lack of a penalty for non-compliance. The only enforcement is through that of the Zoning Enforcement Officer under town law. This won’t be the first time that a company has brought a proposal before the Town Board promising to provide basic service and falling short on delivery, does anyone care to remember CABLE TV? Lets not let another franchised service provider make empty promises. The law should spell out the penalties for non-compliance; such as per day fines for that should guarantee attention to any problem including breach of contract in a timely fashion. “WE Should Have Adequate Cell Service!”
In closing I will continue to promote what I feel is in the best interest of the people of Shandaken. If we can agree that we want adequate cell service for a significant portion of the Shandaken community then lets adopt a law that will give us the most flexibility to acquire that service along with penalties for non-compliance. Then we must sit down together with experts and formulate a plan for implementation that will also address the need for better Emergency Service Communication. “We Can Get Cell Service!”
Can you hear me now?
Chuck Perez
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
Many of my neighbors and I have been appalled by the lack of support of neighboring communities regarding the large parcel act. We can’t believe that our neighbors support the school board’s decision to remove the reservoir from the Olive tax base. One of the strangest things I heard is why should Olive benefit from the reservoir... well because it is in Olive! Just like Woodstock benefits form all those stores on Tinker Street.
What these folks don’t realize is that they are hurting themselves. I and many of my neighbors have stopped shopping in stores in the Onteora school district, and outside of Olive. We no longer shop or do business with anyone in Phoenicia, Woodstock, Shandaken, and so on. Our boycott extends beyond stores. We have changed our doctors and accountants. Stopped donating money, items and time to charities like AWAN and Family, as they are based in Woodstock. Stopped taking art and music lessons, as the teachers do not support overturning the school board’s decision. Our doctors, accountants and others have lost more money from us than they saved in their taxes. And sales are slow in Woodstock. How foolish on their part. They have lost more income than saved in taxes. We no longer spend money in any way inside the Onteora school district, with the exception of the Town of Olive. This move is spreading, and everyone I speak to is doing the same.
When CVS overtook Woodstock’s only grocery store we joined in the boycott of CVS to support our neighbors, even though we shop in Boiceville and a grocery in Woodstock is of no value to us. We felt we needed to support and try to help our neighbors. We are again shopping at CVS... though not the one in Woodstock. And will never again support anything to benefit Woodstock.
Shoppers in Olive

Dear Editor,
We now have new school board members who have a better understanding of the history of our relationship to New York City and the threads that entwine us.
On the upcoming next budget vote, which no doubt we will have, it is important to vote for the budget. The difference is an increase of 3.8% from last year. All in all, the school board did hear last year our concerns about the level of spending, and the proposed budget does come in with a small increase. We cannot go backwards; our school taxes will continue to creep higher. The next couple of years are unknowns for us in regards to taxes. We need to stick together to try to manage what has been tossed our way. I hope that at least the same percentage of Olive voters will come out to vote when the budget is presented again. Sincerely,
Helen K Chase
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
This letter was originally addressed to State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill.
I e-mailed your office a few weeks ago and tried to tell you what would happen because of this Large Parcel Issue. Well it has happened. The Onteora School budget was defeated last night. It is a shame that things have had to go this far, but we here in Olive know the difference between a Utility Company and a Reservoir.
I am a life long Democrat. I belong to this party because it is the party of the people. As I have told you before, we here in Olive are the little guys. We never wanted to cause trouble, we always supported our school system. You, in my opinion, have not supported us. There are people in this town who are facing losing their homes. They moved to Olive because they could afford to, they are not rich or even middle class most are working class. As the working class always do, they chose to live in an affordable area even though this area does not allow for the conveniences that most communities have. This is because of the Ashokan Reservoir and the restrictions that implies.
The reason I am a democrat is that it is the Party of the working class. We are the ones that protect the little guy from big business and unfair political practices. So what have you done? Did you care that the working class of Olive had their School taxes raised 57% and 90% on county taxes? Put that together with the price of gasoline and heating oil. Where have you tried to help us? Do you not see the injustice in this? Just because you think our vote isn't big enough to affect your re election you send some of us off to the abyss of homelessness? I don't care if you like our town Officers or not. This is not a fight of personalities. We here in Olive are fighting to keep our heads above water. You are letting us drown.
I don't know what the future holds for us, but I do know this, the people of the Town of Olive recognize an injustice and they have come together to fight it. I just hope you will join us.
As a member of the Education Committee I don't think you want to see an entire School District destroyed. We just could be heading in that direction and how sad that day will be.
Leslie Curtis
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
After reading this week's paper and the reporting of the voting outcome for the Onteora School District, I felt compelled to write.
Mr. Wilber puts all the credit for the outcome of the vote to: "Olive got their people out" and "Olive had it's act together." Let me tell you something, Mr. Wilber - "Olive" didn't have to do anything after the tax bills came in this past January. Did you really think we needed to be herded to the polling places after the hit our pocketbooks took? We didn't need to be 'sold' on anything. The sad thing is that you have your folks believing (and the school board has been sending out this little piece of scare tactic, as well) that if the Large Parcel is rescinded, the folks that received this "windfall" will be seeing a huge tax shift back at them. In reality, their "share" in this whole mess was about the same as recent years' tax hikes from the school! Remember - Olive is the SINGLE entity that took the brunt of this (Hurley to a lesser degree). Woodstock, Shandaken and Lexington shared in our misgivings - and therefore would NOT be saddled with nearly the same kind of hardship that Olive was handed should Large Parcel not be enacted this year. Be fair - explain it fully - and stop telling tales out of school.
Mr. D'Orazio thinks we were "insanely focused on replacing most of us" (meaning him and others that voted for the Large Parcel Bill).
First of all, "you" should never have enacted the bill in the first place. If you did not want to create this kind of divisiveness in your district, you should have politely told the towns of Woodstock and Shandaken that you would not be part of a political transaction and STAYED FOCUSED ON THE KIDS.
And secondly, you should start to realize that we are not that shortsighted. Over the past MANY years the budget increases have been double digits - or close to it. Last year was no exception - AND it was dumped on us ON TOP of Large Parcel. Does anyone need to wonder why we have gone "insane" with this problem?
Mr. D'Orazio, you better wake up - as should the rest of the board. This is NOT JUST a Large Parcel issue. It's YOUR responsibility to stop spending money like there is no tomorrow. Some of us looked at the school this past year and see no outward signs of anyone having to do without anything. I want to see the kids learn - get an excellent education - and that can be done without many of the extras that have become 'standard' fare at the school. This school used to be number 1 in the state. But that was many years ago. Doesn't that tell you something? Maybe some of the old ways ARE better? Maybe a little structure in their lives is what most kids need and actually scream for?
If education comes first - then make it the ONLY priority. Think about the many homeowners, both inside and outside Olive, that cannot continue to foot the bill for extracurricular activities that could be funded by the interested parties with fund raisers and parent participation. It should NOT be up to the general public at large to raise everyone's kids - to make sure they have access to all the extras. That's what Moms and/or Dads are for.
I see kids hanging out at picnic tables and not in classrooms, and crossing busy Route 28. It's gotten out of hand - and you can't blame that on Large Parcel.
Cindy Johansen
West Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
Once again the voters [of Onteora School District] have had to manifest their/our displeasure with the School Board for their "warped" sense of humor in invoking the Large Parcel Act; the 2005-2006 budget went down to defeat. I predict that round #2 will be likewise; a disaster. And these folks are in the business of educating? It appears as if the Board is being educated and puleeze [please] dear board members do not reply with the usual, "the voters are punishing the children". No! It is the board who set the stage and the voters are responding in the only way that it can given that Olive was assaulted, raped, taxed and robbed [even by a few of it's own residents].
The purchase of new vehicles [as last year] was defeated by a larger margin than the budget; 2043-1693/1995-1860. 'Nuff said.
Now the next task which has been discussed by the Olive Town Board in meetings 6-8 months ago [and currently by us on the "grapevine"] is to leave Onteora CSD to Woodstock and Shandaken, the two financially prostrate towns who were shown charity and mercy early on but decided to play "skunk in the chicken coop".
Perhaps Olive can declare Onteora as a large parcel someday. Ah, just a mind gone wild again. But then, there is a remnant of justice that does prevail even in these "quirky" times.
Glenn T. Anderson
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
The Olive Town Board should consider that while the DEP, Ulster County's single largest taxpayer from which we all benefit, it should be magnanimous and reduce the assessed valuation of the Ashokan Reservoir. If such is accomplished, the Large Parcel bill will be moot.
Remember that should this drastic measure take place, it might not effect a reduction of taxes for Olivearians. However, we will not be sharing our revenue with our "considerate" neighboring towns.
Joseph Angerami
Olivebridge, NY

Dear Editor,
I retired and moved from Long Island ten years ago. I was a registered Democrat but up here went on the Independent line. I had carried my cynicism up with me, thinking that politicians were born to double-talk and truly never get things done. But like all of us I needed help, and I had to call upon a Republican Mike Stock for advice. Not only was he immense help, he went far beyond what I ever thought a man in his position would do. He was straight with me and got me started on what has become a labor of love in this paradise we call The Hudson Valley. He actually cared and checked out the technical and economic feasibility of the project I was about to embark on. Thanks Mike. You get my vote.
Nick DellaPenna
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
Mr. Dean Gitter harps repeatedly on arson, arson, arson - whenever the subject of his poor, sad Emerson Inn threatens to fade from public consciousness. But there has as yet been no official finding of arson. Does Mr. Gitter know something the fire investigators do not know? For example, has anyone asked Dean Gitter if he knows who gave the squirrels those matches? If he knew that, he could keep his $50,000 reward. Along with the insurance money, that’s a pretty good deal…
Susanna Margolis
Fleischmanns, NY

Dear Editor,
Come on folks . . . SLOW DOWN! Our roads are littered with dead animals. Yesterday driving between Woodstock and Phoenicia I removed two skunks, an opossum and a woodchuck from the middle of the road off to the side. A hawk was feasting on the opossum and had I been racing down the road, my car would have struck the hawk and added to the carnage.
This is birthing season for small mammals. The dead animals on the road may have a nest of babies waiting for their mother’s milk. Obviously, these babies will starve to death as well.
There are times we cannot help hitting an animal that darts out onto the road. I am simply suggesting that we drive slower, keep an eye on the sides of the road and anticipate the possibility that an animal may unwittingly wander out onto our path. Please! Remember “our” paths must be shared with many of our wildlife cohabitants.
Joanne Rowley
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank everyone in the town of Woodstock, Hurley and Shandaken for supporting me in the school board election and thank everyone who helped with my campaign. A special thanks to Gordon Wemp who was available for me every step of the way, even when my car broke down. I also highly recommend Roundout Savings bank. I went to two other banks to open a campaign account, only to get turned away. The new Roundout bank at Hurley Ridge took my business and the employees are friendly and helpful. I intend to switch all my money over. With the exception of a few bullies and stolen campaign signs, I had a wonderful time and intend to try again.
I had the pleasure of meeting three wonderful people from Shandaken area, Tom Hickey, Cathy Neal and John Jordon. I hope they stay with the issues and Shandaken should be proud to have three strong candidates. I was thrilled to see Shandaken vote so strongly in favor of the school budget. Please return to the polls June 21 to pass this budget for our children. I was also pleased to be part of the Shandaken Democratic Committee meet the candidate night. They have a good forum for people to learn about issues. In the words of our National Democratic Chair Howard Dean, "our Moral values are, we should have a strong free public education..." It is important people become involved and informed, or we could lose our school system and quality education.
I was disheartened to see Olive vote down the budget. I never thought they would choose greed over children and I believe it is our responsibility as a civilized society to support all children no matter where they may live. Woodstock supported the renovation of Bennett and it is a beautiful school with successful standards. At Woodstock, we have police tape across the swing set as a symbol of neglect. I hope Olive will look beyond their pockets and support all the children of this district. Let us start by passing this budget.
Lisa Childers
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters within the Onteora community who voted for me in my recent unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Board of Education. It was a positive experience regardless of the eventual outcome. As a result of the process, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with many people. Perhaps there will be other ways my many years of experience as a teacher and administrator can be of service to the district in the future.
I offer congratulations to the candidates who were elected and wish them the best in their role as policy makers for OCS. I am of the opinion that most of them have been elected for the right reasons, the Large Parcel not withstanding. I also commend the voters who supported the budget, especially those from the Town of Olive who, regardless of how they felt about the large parcel issue, realized just how comprehensive this budget is. Justine Winters, Victoria Garone and the current Board of Education did an outstanding job of offering a budget with such a minimal increase of 3.86% in light of last year’s austerity budget and fixed costs such as salaries, benefits, fuel and other energy costs, etc.
It is the students who suffer the most when schools are forced to operate under austerity budgets. Voters of the district will have another chance to approve the spending plan in June. Please support the budget and vote YES. The students are our future and we owe it to them to provide the best educational opportunities.
COMMUNICATION+TEAMWORK=SUCCESS
Jack Jordan
Pine Hill, NY

Dear Editor,
Until recently, David Graeber was an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Yale University. He is also a political activist and his recent support on behalf of the graduate student strike (see NYTImes April 19, 2005) , as well as his work and writings as an anarchist have unexpectedly led to his termination. No matter where we stand on the political spectrum , we all have to agree that it is important in academia to have the safety and security to speak out and challenge the status quo. If you can. please go to: http://www.geocities.com/graebersolidarity and add your signature to the thousands of others on this petition.
Thanks!
Jen Williams Dragon
Chichester, NY

Dear Editor,
I have been reading your publication with great interest and I enjoy it. I want to thank you for it.
Let me, however, express my opinion and perhaps a reservation. In the May 12th issue you have an item about a fire in a dumpster and a suspicion that somebody by the name of Perry started it and he was subsequently arrested. This sort of thing happens now and then and there are constantly arrests made on suspicion of arson. It is time to remember that the news reports that very often people are not given the benefit of the doubt, that arrests are made on suspicion and not on existing proof and that even the death penalty is doubted by the Supreme Court because a great percentage of those on the death row have been found innocent after they were put to death. My objection to all of this is from a foreign perspective where things of this sort do not happen as often as they do in the United States. As a matter of fact, many foreigners hold this sort of paranoia against U.S. and many problems that Americans encounter abroad are due to hostilities that flare up and result in extreme paranoia even on the part of the establishment. .
It is a well known fact that there are over 2,000. earthquakes a year around the globe. They are not man made but nature made. U.S. has one of the worst climates on earth, there is no other continent that has as many climate disasters as U.S. Nevertheless even yesterday there was another earthquake in Sumatra and we all know that almost 300,000 people died as a result of tsunami in that area. Nobody suspects that that tsunami was man made and we all are cool minded to realize that nature and universe are brutal and dangerous.
It is also well known that earthquakes and tremors can cause fires by flooding fuse boxes and disrupting power I lines. We also can easily notice that the Catskills are more prone to tremors than other areas since there is underground water under us. I myself experience these tremors sitting at home in Phoenicia when I feel as if I were on a ship with the’ ground waving and with heavy knocks coming up from that ground. We also see plumes of steam coming out of the surrounding mountains now and then. Yet nobody ever considered the possibility that the frequent fires we have in this area are caused by the underground tremors or huge lightening bolts rather than by a vicious arsonist who may be only 12 years old and has none such intention. We all are told that we must consider them innocent until proven guilty yet we always consider them guilty first. There is no other country in the entire world in which people hate each other more than the US citizens do in US. Why should anybody call police to report fire if he set it himself - he would have to be out of his mind to do so rather than run. And yet there is no doubt in your mind that he did it.
Similarly I was astounded when I saw what happened after 9/11. The first thing that anybody sane should have done was to check whether by any chance 9/11 was caused by an earthquake and water erosion which is quite likely on an island such as Manhattan in a month of very bad weather. Yet that possibility never occurred to anybody and it still is a possibility. Even CNN at one point started wondering what if with the weak and inadequate intelligence, the downing of the planes was caused by an attack from homeland security in a panic after the towers started coming down and in a very rushed situation when there was no time to check what really happened. And what if in fact this was the case? What will you say then?
The danger of state paranoia is a real danger and we have seen disasters caused by such paranoia in history. But on a smallerscale in our Catskills here, we must insist that such factors as earthquakes, tremors, tornadoes, and hurricanes be considered as the primary cause of all fires and only if these eventualities are excluded, can we afford looking for an arsonist or another criminal and even then not everybody bearing a look of Al Capone is in fact a criminal.
I request that you consider my point of view, if possible, when writing these articles.
Yours sincerely,
Maria Z. Brooks
Phoenicia NY

Dear Editor,
The Phoenicia Library will be holding its tremendously popular Plant Sale at the Library Fair on Saturday, June 4. It takes a lot of gardeners to grow a plant sale! We are asking our gardeners in the Town of Shandaken to help us out. Now is a good time to start dividing perennials and potting up groundcovers, shrubs, houseplants, and herbs for the sale. Label the plants with their names, and we will help them find a happy new home. Or, if you need some help with digging and dividing, we have a few volunteers who will come to your garden and do it for you.
You can bring your plants to the library on Friday, June 3. Or, if you need to have them picked up, we can arrange that.
For help with digging and potting, or someone to bring your plants to the Plant Sale for you, please call Veronica Rowe at 688-5477.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Library Fair in June. It’s all for a wonderful cause: the Phoenicia Library.
Veronica Rowe, President
Phoenicia Library Board

Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Phoenicia Business Association I would like to thank the businesses who participated and the people who donated in the Shandaken / Olive area to our fund drive to help the victims of the Tsunami disaster.
Solely from your donations placed in the containers we spread around the district we were able to send checks totalling $1,000 to the Tsunami Relief Fund at UNICEF. We hope that as a small token from our community it is able to do some good and help the survivors of that horrible tragedy.
We would like to thank the following businesses for participating: Boiceville Market, Boiceville Video, Boiceville Gas Station, Boiceville Wines, Brios, Bread Alone, Gateway to Tibet, Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant, Key Bank, Limner Gallery, Morne Imports, Mizuna, Nest Egg, Phoenicia Belle B&B, Phoenicia Deli, Phoenicia Films, Phoenicia Library, Phoenicia Wines & Liquors, Phoenicia Market, Phoenicia Pharmacy, Ricciardellas, Tender Land, Tender Land Home, Reservoir Healthfoods, Sweet Sues, and also to the Hong Kong for donating the collection containers.
Many thanks,
Dana Fraser
Phoenicia Business Association