Dear Editor,
Dean Gitter deemed it necessary to pay for a full page ad in the Phoenicia Times to try to malign our quiet neighbors at the Monastery. Why?! Because they take their civic rights seriously enough to take the time to understand and be involved in the local political “process”? Because HE thinks they have “no visible means of support? Is commercialism the only means of support that counts? He states that the members of the Monastery “toil not, nor do they spin”. Instead of bloviating about his good works, he might learn something about the support services that the Zen Monastery offers quietly, without boasting about it in full page ads. Perhaps he is familiar with the phrase “Let not your right hand know what your left hand is doing”. Now, that is TRUE charity.
Crossroads has spent lots of money hoping to make the town “grateful”. (See his long ad listing all the ways Crossroads Ventures keeps trying to buy the town’s favor.) The donations of this self-named “greedy developer” do not make his opinion the only valid opinion. To keep bragging about the amount he has spent on this project already only goes to illustrate how much Crossroads intends to “reap” if the project is ever completed. Mr. Gitter complains about “loud opponents”, yet he takes a full-page ad to brag loudly about the crumbs he has thrown us to try to buy allegiance. Why does he claim virtue in supporting “every local cause from Little League to the Shandaken Theatrical Society” when local townspeople have been supporting these causes for years with their own efforts and regular donations? These are business deductions for Crossroads, and don’t cost him a cent personally.
Good grief! I’ve tried to keep a low profile, not having energy for all the worthwhile projects surrounding and enveloping us every day, but Dean Gitter’s arrogance and accusations (not to mention quoting of Scripture!) are just beyond tolerance. We UNDERSTAND Crossroad’s and Gitter’s motivation -their job is to make tons of money - that’s not the issue. The rest ofus are entitled to our own opinions and motivations as least as much as he is. Anne Nissen Shandaken, NY

Dear Editor,
We are now engaged in a global war on terrorism, but what is really sad is we have our own group of terrorists right here in Shandaken. They have not yet turned to violence, as far as we know, but who knows when they will finally snap.
If you would have attended the last comprehensive plan meeting you would have witnessed these terrorists in action. When it was apparent that they were not going to get their way in defeating the plan, as all of their objections had been addressed by the committee and the town board. The county planner Dennis Doyle was in attendance and he had nothing but good things to say about the plan, and urged its adoption.
In the parking lot behind the town hall, these terrorists struck, and who did they strike out at? One of the people on the town board that in the past supported their ideas, but when shown the real facts of the matter, commented on the good job and hard work the committee did on this plan.
These terrorists reduced this town’s board member to tears with their verbal abuse. No one deserves the treatment this woman was subjected to by these people. I am happy to say that our town supervisor came to her assistance.
I will not name names, as everyone knows who these people are and its about time that the good people of this town let them know that enough is enough. That we will not tolerate this kind of treatment to any one of our townspeople.
Robert Kalb
Big Indian, NY

Dear Editor,
To Bob Kalb: Someone who will call a spirited conversation between friends in the Town Hall parking lot a terrorist act will say anything about anyone. How can you equate a group of people demanding to be heard by their town government with terrorists who murder people to make their point?
Don’t use me in your attempted smear campaign. You had better believe I can hold my own in any discussion.
Edna Hoyt, Councilman
Shandaken Town Board

Dear Editor,
In times when terrorists attack the innocent, as they did on US soil Sept. 11, 2001 and people in distant lands commit acts of genocide against others, I find it in exceedingly poor taste for members of our community to use such incendiary labels as calling fellow townspeople “radical extremists”, “eco-terrorists”, “environmental jihadists” and such. Harry Jameson, Blake Killin, Dean Gitter, Bob Kalb and some others use such labels for folks in our community with opposing viewpoints to their own.
I realize it’s election season in Shandaken and some people are desperate to get their way at the polls this November, but when we resort to inflammatory name calling and lies this whole community loses. Furthermore, it denigrates the suffering of those worldwide who have truly been the victims of extremists.
Loren Quinby
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
In response to Robert Kalb's letter printed in the Catskill Mountain News:
The September 11th 2001 tragedy deeply affected many many people personally in Shandaken. For Bob Kalb to minimize this pain, by calling a majority of concerned citizen's speaking out about a 'living document' that could greatly change our town, TERRORISTS, is sickening. The psuedo protection of "not naming names", typical of the witch hunt campaigns by Joseph McCarthy, is un-American, unpatriotic, cheap, vulgar and twisted.
Peter DiSclafani
Mount Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
I was delighted to read in the recent advertisement of Crossroads Ventures LLC, of this company's great generosity to our community. We have a great deal to be grateful for in their support of so much that is valued by our community and that shapes its vitality and individuality. I do hope that the donors are aware of our appreciation and will feel encouraged to continue their very generous support of initiatives and services so central to the well-being of our community.
The proposed resort however is of a different scale, character, and impact on our community than the causes to which donations were made; many of us express very real concerns that such a development, everything that comes with it, and that it opens our home to, would destroy the very aspects that we value most about living in this very beautiful state park, recently acknowledged as a bio-gem of our planet. This area also provides life-shaping experiences of wilderness for many who do not reside here, and is of paramount value as a rare fresh water supply for ourselves and for a great city at a time of exponentially escalating planetary shortages of unpolluted drinking water.
If we pride ourselves on being a democracy, then it is essential that all must be encouraged to speak freely of their concerns, listen to all others, be listened to carefully and respectfully by all others, and
that we discuss issues central to the shaping of our lives and future of the area until action can be taken on the wishes of the majoritywith the minority's consent — however long this takes. I sincerely ask that the developers not to be impatient, but be prepared to go through a truly democratic process on matters profoundly affecting us all.
After all, everyone of us wants the same things — a vital and nourishing community able to work respectfully with dissension and difficulty, an example of how to provide for our children, our grandchildren and our neighbors a non-violated, challenging, and profound life embodying the very best of human experience that we can make possible. For the majority of us, this includes intimate contact with the inspiring and healing wholeness of a rich natural environment to which we are rare, and most fortunate, heirs in Shandaken.
Ros McIntosh
Mt Tremper, NY

Dear Editor,
In response to Neil Eisenberg's letter in your last issue, I would ,ALSO, like to extend my best wishes for his continued success in any new and future endeavors;and to thank him for his past volunteer work on the Onteora School board.
Rita Vanacore
Onteora Trustee
Shokan, NY

Dear Editor,
My name is Harry Jameson. Five years ago I was asked, because of my background and involvement in town planning and zoning, to help build a comprehensive plan to guide our town into the future. To design a vision of how “we” as a community want to grow, prosper, preserve and protect, and ultimately make Shandaken a better place to live for all.
Within that five years there have been three comprehensive planning committees under three different administrations. As a member of the first committee, with the guidance of a professional planner, Dan Shuster, we started the process of gathering the raw materials from our community through surveys,
scoping sessions, numerous resource documents, and public input enabling us to begin the process of formulating a tool called a Comprehensive Plan.
A Comprehensive Plan by definition is a document that sets forth a path for our visions and offers a vehicle for grants to fund our dreams. Throughout the process, the radical extremists in our community, both pro- and anti-development, tried to force their agendas into the document. They could not be satisfied and they refused to accept or make compromise. Upon completion, a public hearing was held, and after the Town Planning Board review, it was sent to the Ulster County Planning Board for their review and input. Their comments were that the plan was a good one but needed to be expanded on in areas such as renewable resources, more maps, and so on.
The second committee on which I sat was reorganized under a new administration with Pete DiModica as our supervisor. Our task was to incorporate the comments made by the Ulster County Planning Board on the first document and expand on areas that were deficient. With a number of new committee members, whose agendas were those of our radical neighbors, the plan was manipulated and turned from a tool into a weapon. It was forged to stop development project proposals before our town, and was so tainted and restrictive, that four hundred plus residents attended a public hearing in January at Belleayre Ski Center when temperatures were well below zero degrees.
Those same committee members also conspired behind our backs by circulating petitions supporting their radical agendas just prior to that public hearing. And then when they realized, because of the public outcry, that they had broken the weapon, they took the position, in which they thought, maybe it was better not to have a plan at all. Yet again our radical neighbors were not satisfied because they had failed in forcing their extremes. But the majority of the reasonable residents in our community said, “Yes, we do need a plan but we need to hire a professional consultant to help guide us once again.”
The third and present committee, of which I am a part of, was formed under the present administration with Robert Cross as supervisor. Grants were obtained through the Department of State and New York State Department of Transportation, and a nationally recognized professional planning consultant, STANTEC, was hired. After much work and many revisions, we have successfully dulled what was a weapon and once again turned it into a tool. Unfortunately, the radical extremists still will not concede or agree.
Five years ago I was asked to be a member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee for the following reasons:
1. Because I have been a resident of the Town of Shandaken for 38 years.
2. Because I grew up here and graduated from our school district.
3. Because I am a sportsman who has hunted and fished since my teens.
4. Because I am a property owner who owns properties with steep slopes and ridgelines as well as streamside and hamlet properties.
5. Because I am a businessman who is a leader of the tourism industry in the Town of Shandaken for 26 years and I am fully aware of the economic structure of our town.
6. Because I have been involved in workings of various committees, planning, zoning, environmental impact statements, and SEQRA reviews for 22 years.
7. Because I have worked with the New York State Department of Transportation, County of Ulster and the Town of Shandaken on numerous infrastructure projects.
8. Because I have worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and Ulster County Land, Soils, and Water in maintaining the Esopus Creek as one of our premier natural resources. I have maintained a safe recreational waterway by being a leader in the removal of debris for the benefit of the safety, health, and welfare of the public while at the same time working to enhance the habitat of the Esopus Creek.
9. Because I have worked with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on such projects as the restoration and opening to the public of the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower, creating the Tan Bark trail in Phoenicia, and also helped design the Phoenicia River Walk enabling us to enhance the hamlet with more parking, public information, and public restrooms.
10. I also presently sit on the Phoenicia Wastewater Committee and the Esopus Corridor Planning Project.
Throughout the five years of this process those of you in the ranks of the radical extremists have attacked my ethics, my credibility, and my professionalism. You have accused me and others of conspiring when in fact it was you who conspired. You have attacked the businesses in which I am involved, and the properties I own. I have watched YOU attack, insult, badger, and question the ethics of fair members of our committees as well as the consultants we have hired. You and your small group of allies come from a place of radical extremes that are unfair and selfish, without give, take, or compromise. It’s your way or no peace will exist. You are wrong and you were wrong about me, Harry Jameson, who has worked faithfully for our community, cannot be bought nor sold.
I am proud to have been part of the process and proud of this document, which bears my name and the names of my fellow planners Chairman Chuck Perez, Robert Stanley, and John Horn.
In conclusion, the document before you is the result of five years of work and struggle. It has been hammered and shaped, and if one reads it in its entirety, one will realize its intent, its goals and its purpose. Not to develop in directions unchecked but to grow where we want to. We have taken stock of what we have, and what there is, and have offered vision as to what could be right for the majority of our good residents and adopt this plan for our future. Never will we agree, but never should we allow our future be guided by the radical minorities.
Harry Jameson III
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
It is my opinion that there is an urgent and pressing need for more restrooms in the Catskill Region. Whether I am streaming down Rt.28 or Rt.23 I notice a plethora of shops and stands, yet there are few legal places to relieve oneself. Everyone wants to sell you drinks, but where is all that liquid supposed to go? After inquiring about a restroom, I'm bowled over as some drip behind the counter tells me they have no bathroom. Where do they go, in a bucket? Maybe they're just yellow and are afraid some tourist will soil their personal porcelain. Keeping a bathroom clean can be draining, but providing one for money-spending tourists can be an asset to their business. It doesn't take a wiz to figure out that more people will drop in if they can use the facilities.
Will shopkeepers make customer relief a number one priority? Depends. If they poo-poo the notion that providing relief will increase the flow of traffic into their shops, then no. However, if they are privy to the needs of their customers,they should take the plunge, remove those "out of order" signs, and open those doors! Thats all I can say for now as this took a lot out of me and I'm pooped.
Paul Misko
Woodland Valley, NY

Dear Editor,
As many of our townspeople know, we have a “Summerscape” program in full swing to dress up our Main Street — hanging baskets on all the utility poles, some 40 pots of flowers spread around town, a little paint on our park benches and tubs, a restored flowerbed opposite the Post Office and fresh plantings of flowers under the big Phoenicia sign on Route 28. And there’s more to come as the summer progresses.
It’ s true that the program is the result of the combined efforts of The SHARP Committee, The Catskill Center and Phriends of Phoenicia. But lest people think we did all these good things by ourselves, let me set the record straight. Over fifty businesses and business people, private citizens, organizations and institutions pitched in with money, contributions in kind, time, effort, good ideas, and moral support. If I overlook anybody, let me apologize in advance. In more or less alphabetic order the contributors include:
Brio’s (Mike Ricciardella), Linda Byer, Brian Callahan, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development (Helen Budrock), Catskill Mountain Physical Therapy PC (Heather Roberts), Jeff Collins Stone Supply, Nino Coppolino, Bob Cross, Tom Crucet, Debra Jo Ryan, Renwick Dibble Insurance, Declan Feehan, Ted French, Ruth Gale Real Estate, Gateway to Tibet (Gala Geru Khamba), E. B. Gormley Funeral Home (Mark Wilsey), Bart Guglielmetti, Louise Guglielmettti, Harry Jameson, Ed Johnson, Kingston Block & Masonry (Ralph Acampora), Elizabeth and Patrick Kern, Key Bank (Maureen Boland), Buffy Kibe, Herzog’s (Greg Amato), Mike Malloy, Marilyn Manning, Peter & Becky Manning, Maverick Health Center, Miss Kitty’s Salon (Kathy Judware), Mizuna Restaurant (Bill and Fran Warnes), Gerry Neal, Nest Egg (Ray Kirk), NYSEG (Jim Salmon), Jerry and Adele Pearlman, Phoenicia Business Association, NY Region Pathwork (Barbara Kinney), Phoenicia Auto Body (Duane Formont), Phoenicia Belle (Tom Fraser), Phoenicia Hotel (Richie Stokes), Phoenicia Market & Deli (Bill and Margarete Nolte), Phoenicia Pharmacy (Marty Millman), Phoenicia Rotary Club, Phoenicia Supermarket (Shahzad and Tami Shah), Phriends of Phoenicia, Rondout Savings Bank (Dan Devine; Julie Corrigan), Bert & Moira Shaw, Beecher and Arline Smith, Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina (Billy Fichtner), Ricciardella Realty (Rick Ricciardella), Kyle Ricketson, Terry Spies, Adam Steen, Sweet Sue’s (Sue Taylor), The Tender Land (Bill Forbes), The Tender Land Home (Dave Pillard), Dom Thongs, Ulster Savings Bank, Verona Oil Company/Exxon (Dick Verona).
To one and all, let me extend our profound thanks for your help and support. Truly, we couldn’t have done it without you. It’s wonderful to live in a town where there’s this kind of community spirit. Jane Todd, Executive Director
The SHARP Committee
Dear Editor,
The end of an era in Phoenicia...
On June 24, 2005, maybe not a special day for some of us but for a local resident of Phoenicia it was. That day Blanche Kirk drove her school bus for the last time. After approximately 29 years of transporting the local students, Blanche retired.
Blanche drove her bus with pride, love, respect and dedication, transporting probably two generations, she decided it was time to hang up the keys and begin her retirement.
Perhaps this doesn’t mean much to some people but to me, a fellow bus driver, it is a monumental day.
For all these years during good weather and very bad she has delivered her precious cargo to and from school and home. For the past four years it’s been my pleasure to park my bus, #14, in lineupwith Blanche, #74, at the Phoenicia School; and have gotten to know her better than I had. For 20 years I have also in some capacity either full-time or substitute-driven a school bus for the same company as Blanche did, Tonche Transit.
Blanche has always had her opinions and stuck to them even though at times it caused her distress.
I guess I’m writing this letter to say “thank you” Blanche for your love and dedication to the students on your bus. We’ll miss you, but hope for you a great retirement. Do much travelling (not by bus) and of course keep that husband (also a former bus driver) in line.
Fellow Bus Driver
Donna Van Kleeck
Phoenicia, NY

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank everyone who came to the Republican Caucus and exercised their right to vote. I extend my sincerest apologies for going over my allotted time to speak. The fact is that when it comes to our town and our neighbors, my passion runs deep and all I hope for is to promote understanding instead of animosity. I would also like to thank Gerry Setchko, JoAnne Kalb and Mary Herrman for running positive campaigns leading into the caucus. I hope that this trend continues into the general election. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of my friends and neighbors who came to support me. I am humbled that you would put your faith in me and I hope I can continue to prove myself worthy of your support, and hopefully a few others, come the general election. Thank you all so much for the opportunity you have given me.
The following is the speech I read prior to the vote at the caucus last Thursday night in its entirety:
Mr. Chairman, Committeemen, members of the Republican Party, my Fellow Shandakenites, We have come to a crossroad. We have not been asked if we wanted to be here, but the time has come to make a choice. I am not asking you to make a choice between a project or a plan. I am asking you to make a choice of direction. For too many years now our town has been embattled and a great rift has opened beneath our feet. Are we Shandakenites going to sit back and helplessly fall into the abyss? Or, should we, as we have with floods, blizzards and countless other disasters that have befallen our town, bear down, take a stand and say, “ We will not be beat,” “We will not let you bully us around,” “We are Shandakenites and we are here to stay?”
I have been a member of this community for nearly thirty years. My children attend the same school I did. My father and I have been invited into many of your homes to fix your plumbing problems. Ever since I was a member of the local scout troop, I have hiked nearly every trail in the town. It was my involvement in the Shandaken Theatrical Society that rekindled my passion for theater, which in turn led me to SUNY New Paltz where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I took that degree and returned to STS and taught some after-school arts programs through the Phoenicia PTA. I never dreamed of entering into politics, until I started to see things change. All of a sudden friends weren’t friends; neighbor wouldn’t help neighbor. I began to see hatred and animosity consume our entire community. Where before there was dialogue, it turned to heated adversity, followed by yelling, screaming and behavior, on both sides, that is very unbecoming of people in our community.
It is this entire community that has helped shape who I am today. And who is Rob Stanley today? I’m a tired man. Tired of all the animosity and hatred that has divided this community for far too long. So what am I to do? Do I lie down and allow this behavior to continue? Or, should I, as other Shandakenites in the past have, take a stand and say, “ I will not succumb to your negative reflection of our community.”
I believe Shandaken has a very bright future. I ask my fellow Shandakenites to join with me. I ask you to help close the rift that has divided us for too long. I ask that we move forward as a WHOLE community. The road may be bumpy, and I may make a few missteps, but the path is clear and I promise you that we will emerge with a Shandaken that is rich in beauty and with an enduring and vibrant economy.
I am here tonight to ask my fellow Shandakenites, “What direction are we to follow?” I am not telling you who to vote for or not vote for. I am asking you to vote for the candidates you feel best represent your views and who you feel represent the best Shandaken has to offer. I ask you to vote your conscience. I would be honored to represent the ENTIRE Town of Shandaken as a councilman. My name is Rob Stanley and I am proud to call myself a Shandakenite.
Robert A. Stanley
Shandaken, NY

Dear Editor,
As I weighed forcing a primary for the Democratic endorsement for Ulster County Legislature, I evaluated all the factors.
I spent years videotaping the Ulster County Legislature and I researched the issues. Like all optimists, I am sure that I could prevail. However, I faced the specter that the money and energy that would be spent by all the Democratic candidates will be needed in the November General Election to defeat Mike Stock.
Mike Stock has poorly served the interests of Ulster County, but he served those with money very well. While in a position to oversee the way that public money was spent, he allowed mismanagement and possibly fraud. Mike led the Republican majority on an orgy of tax and spend. He voted against the interests of Woodstock on the jail and on casino gambling. Mike has played legislative games rather than looking for ways to build a team that will serve the interests of Ulster County. Simply stated, Mike Stock has to go. We can't afford him!
I am supporting Don Gregorius and Brian Shapiro for the Ulster County Legislators from District 2.
Gerry Ricci
Woodstock, NY

Dear Editor,
With all the sadness going on in the world at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed last week.
Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Pokey," died peacefully at age 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
Jen Dragon
Chichester, NY