10/7/2010
Dear
Editor,
Thank you for your coverage of the Route 28 road safety problems,
as well as for the request for action on this matter. Thanks
also to Rich Feldman for his excellent letter about the matter
in the previous issue. Since there were three tragic fatalities
in the same spot on Rte. 28 in the month of August, we contacted
Kevin Cahill's office to request he put serious pressure on
the DOT to deter any further accidents. We stressed to him
that deterrents such as decreasing speed limits, relying on
police monitoring, widening/repaving the road, and memorial
markers are ineffective and clearly not enough for some parts
of Rte. 28.
What seems to be missing is the real message. How do we get
tourists, truckers, and locals to slow down and pay attention?
Route 28 is unique. It is a dangerously designed road further
complicated by illegal speeding, and distracted driving (that's
texting and cell phones). How do we get an impactful message
out there that will make a difference on safety? Maybe strategically
located signage - "DANGER: DO NOT CROSS OVER THE CENTER
LINE!" or "CAUTION: KEEP ALERT FOR SLOW MOVING AND
TURNING VEHICLES".
As your article pointed out, it's been three years since the
April 2007 accidents occurred, and nothing effective has been
done. We have heard numbers bandied about that $2 - $8 million
were allotted to improve Route 28 and yet we still don't have
any such signage or serious focus on the this issue. Assemblyman
Cahill relayed that he would stress the concern to the DOT,
which we appreciate. However, our community who live here
and use Route 28 are most directly affected by these tragedies,
so if we really want to make a difference, it is we who need
to speak up loudly and do it now. Call for forceful signage
to go up as soon as possible, and more seriously analyzed
and effective solutions to be found and implemented within
a deadline.
Our hearts go out to all the families who have lost loved
ones on Route 28 recently and over the years. Anyone reading
this drives on and has family, friends, and neighbors who
drive Rte. 28 daily. Do we want such tragedy to ever happen
again? to anyone? Please contact Assemblyman Cahill at 845-338-9610
or http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=101 with your thoughts.
And if you would like to make Rte. 28 safe, please join us
to create and promote solutions. Email us at makeroute28safe@yahoo.com
Posie Strenz, Mt. Tremper, NY and Christina Himberger, Boiceville,
NY
Dear Editor,
THANK YOU for the years of local news! Saying goodbye to our
favorite newspaper and all the many many wonderful writers
and articles - so sad to see you go! Good luck in your future
endeavors!
Love from
Kt & Ralph Legnini
West Shokan, NY
Dear Editor,
The end of an era is upon us. Our local newspaper is shutting
down. Brian Powers has contributed immensely to our town.
I am going to miss his editorials, every one's columns and
the news. Perhaps after he pursues his other dreams, he'll
return to publishing one of the most anticipated papers I've
read....In the meantime, thank-you, Brian, and everyone else....and
good luck.
Yours in the struggle,
Alan Fliegel
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor,
Just want you to know,that for me you are the best newspaper
around. In fact you are the only paper I read, cant remember
the last time I read the Woodstock Times, and I have been
here for 34 years.
Why dont you start charging for your paper? I would gladly
pay for it.
I am going to really miss it, you did a great job.
Thanks
David Bagoon
Mt. Tremper, NY
Dear Editor,
As we start a new school year, the Onteora Central School
District Board of Trustees would like to update you on current
and upcoming activities.
Ms. Charlotte Gregory became our Interim Superintendent over
the summer and will continue in that role while we embark
on our search for a new, full-time Superintendent. Ms. Gregory
brings to her position over 34 years of experience as a Superintendent
in New York State, and we have all been thrilled by her energy
and enthusiasm, and her willingness to take a pro-active stance
on issues concerning our students. Please take the opportunity
to welcome Charlotte as you see her at school events.
The new Superintendent search is being conducted through BOCES,
at no cost to the District, except for advertising fees. Applications
are due by October 1, after which the Board will begin the
interview process. We will be working with a shared decision
making team made up of representatives from all of our district's
areas and groups. It is our hope to hire a full-time Superintendent
to start work early in the New Year, though that is dependent
on our confidence in the right candidate.
At the September 14 board meeting, the Trustees appointed
Michael McKeon to fill the seat on the Board left vacant after
Donna Flayhan moved out of the District. Mr. McKeon had already
been serving on the Audit Committee and will bring considerable
expertise to the Board. His appointment lasts until the next
election, in May 2011. We would like to thank Dr. Flayhan
for all her hard work during her two years of service and
wish her and her family the very best in their new school
district.
Beginning with our September 28 meeting, the Board will begin
discussing the "footprint" of the School District
- that is, the potential future configurations for buildings
and grades that will best serve our students. Over these next
six meetings at the three active elementary schools leading
up to the end of the calendar year, we plan to alternate "presentation"
meetings with "forum" meetings. The presentations
will encompass the conversation and work done thus far, and
by this we convey our appreciation for the various groups
that have assembled in the past to discuss and study the direction
of the District. Your work will not go unrecognized.
The conversation will progress as we receive input and discuss
ideas, and we encourage parents, residents, staff and students
to attend whenever they can. There will be opportunity for
public discussion at each of meetings and we welcome your
input. We also plan to create a task force to assess the available
information and present recommendations to the Board. We are
open to creative new ideas that may not yet have been widely
discussed. In the meantime, on the Onteora website (under
BOE, Past District Planning Committee Work) you will find
relevant past studies and findings.
Finally, a reminder that the great Levon Helm has kindly donated
his services for a special concert at the Harry Simon Auditorium
on October 22. Monies raised will be divided equally between
the five schools for the purposes of Arts in Education. Tickets
are available through levonhelm.com.
We will keep you updated as the school year progresses.
Laurie Osmond
President, OSCD Board of Education
Dear Editor,
As supporters of a modern sanitation system for the hamlet
of Phoenicia, we were pleased that the Shandaken Town Board
has finally voted to enter into an agreement with the Catskill
Watershed Corporation to assist us in making an appropriate
choice.
We were less than pleased, however, with an attempt by certain
Board members to hire a lawyer to become involved at the very
beginning of the CWC's activities. There is no reason for
the Town Board to consider hiring any outside attorney until
the CWC has finished gathering information on the options
available to Phoenicia, has evaluated those options, and shared
the information with us. At the present time, there is nothing
for an attorney to review.
When the CWC makes its recommendations, which should be some
time next year, if our regular Town attorney feels the matter
is beyond his expertise, then an attorney with specialized
experience in these matters could be hired. However, that
attorney should be someone who has no prior involvement on
either side of the issue, and can therefore be totally unbiased
and free of conflicts of interest.
For all of these reasons, we urge the Shandaken Town Board
to vote against hiring an outside attorney at the present
time.
Patricia L. Ellison, LeRoy (Roy) Winchell, Chris Fischer,
Bruce Winchell, and 17 others
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor,
WRONG. Braylon Edwards, the Jets wide receiver gets arrested
for DWI, .16, and the NFL says "this is a violation of
their substance abuse policy". WRONG. It is a crime.
Driving While Intoxicated is a crime. An organization that
has as much influence on our young people as the NFL should
get it straight.
D. Holley Carnright
Ulster County District Attorney
Dear Editor,
Approximately a year ago, Jack Bennett, of the Ulster County
Substance Abuse Board attended a meeting with Ulster County
Children Services Coordinator, who recognized AWARENESS as
a viable program. She asked that we find a way to work together.
Jack had already approached the judges to utilize an evidence-based,
brief intervention program developed by Dr. Ken Winters and
colleagues at the University of Minnesota. The founder of
the AWARENESS Teen Program contacted Dr. Winters. The two
decided to pilot a program where teens deliver the evidence-based
program including a fourth component of the brief intervention
only offered to the AWARENESS program.
The program consists of interviews, two with the teen, one
with the parent and one with the teen and parent. The teen
delivery alleviates the clinical feeling, allowing volunteer
participants to let down their defenses. Teens reflect on
their relationships with substances. It opens communication
for parent and teen to interact
without judging or blame. It is the perfect environment for
teens to help themselves change their behavior.
AWARENESS is a not for profit currently filing a 501c3 and
has a fiscal sponsor. If anyone would like to donate, the
goal is to pay teens to implement and teach teens the program.
Many of them volunteer their time but when they get jobs,
they have no time to help. Alycia Geiss, who killed a passenger
when she drove the day after drinking (not realizing she had
alcohol in her system) volunteers in the program. She speaks
to teens who are mandated by judges to attend the class held
at the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center to learn the dangers
of substance use.
Marie Shultis
AWARENESS
Hurley, NY
Dear Editor,
I hear a lot of people who are unsure if investments in infrastructure
across the country are effective. They must not drive around
Ulster County - bridges are being repaired, roads are being
re-paved, and upgrades in power generation are keeping unemployment
in check in Ulster County. There are other reasons to things
are starting to look up too - solar panel manufacturing jobs
are being created and parking lots at Tech City are looking
full for the first time since the mid-90's.
Stimulus is not meant to be the end all be all, but spending
a dollar in the county generates more than two dollars in
economic activity in the local economy. Some think a better
solution is to stick "Had Enough?" political signs
on the side of the road. Well, we have not "had enough"
targeted investments in our national infrastructure, we have
"not had enough" focus on the middle class and we
have "not had enough" investment in our schools.
However, the silent majority has "had enough" of
so-called tea party patriots who vow to fight to add $700
billion to our nation's debt in order to give the wealthy
a tax cut and want to elect naysayers instead of roll up your
sleeves and get to work.
Vic Work
Wallkill, NY
Dear Editor,
I'm writing to express our sadness that your paper has decided
to discontinue publishing. I think your paper is an important
part of our community, and although it seems to already be
the case, I hope its time is not over.
I know it wasn't what part of your plea for assistance, but
if it would help, we would be happy to commit to an ongoing
advertisement in your paper in way of support. We don't typically
look to advertise locally as most of our business comes from
outside areas, but we consider it a worthwhile expense to
do our part, to support your work. I am sorry that we cannot
do more.
Sincerely,
Sara Loughlin, Co-Owner
Phoenicia Lodge
Phoenicia, NY
Dear Editor,
Democrats have given tax cuts to small business owners; tax
cuts to clean energy companies and a tax cut to 95 percent
of working Americans. Instead of giving tax breaks to corporations
to create jobs overseas, Democrats are cutting taxes for companies
that put our people to work here at home.
The Obama administration has been investing in growth industries
like clean energy and manufacturing, because solar panels
wind turbines and electric cars will be "Made in America."
There are no better workers than American workers,
and when the naysayers said our government should just let
the American auto industry vanish and take hundreds of thousands
of jobs down with it, congressional Democrats voted to stand
by them, but required, that they make the tough choices necessary
to compete once again. America's auto industry is on the way
back.
Furthermore, congressional Democrats have made sound and long
overdue investments to upgrade our outdated and inefficient
national infrastructure.
The Obama administration is not just talking new about new
roads, bridges, dams
and levees; but also a smart electric grid and the broadband
internet and high-speed rail lines required to compete in
the 21st century economy.
Those kinds of investments are for America's future, but they're
creating hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs today.
It was because of these investments, and the tens of thousands
of projects like them all over this country, that our recovering
construction sector actually grew last month for the first
time in a very long time. Nevertheless, nearly one in five
construction workers are unemployed. It doesn't do anybody
any good to have so many American construction workers idled
for months, even years, at a
time when there is so much of America's infrastructure that
needs to be rebuilt.
Jim O'Leary
Delhi, NY
Dear Editor,
Eighteen months ago a seed of an idea was germinated in our
local Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited
about some kind of community art project celebrating our world-famous
Esopus Creek trout population. That seed was nurtured and
fertilized by a large group of community-minded people. Today,
the fruits of our harvest can be viewed in a gallery show
at the Arts Upstairs, on Main Street, Phoenicia. Twenty-seven
original works of art depicting, interpreting, and reimagining
our Catskill trout are on display until Sunday, October 10,
when the
artworks will be auctioned to benefit Trout Unlimited. The
public is invited to join us for this unique live auction
event, beginning at 5PM. The art collection can also be viewed
at www.theleapingtrout.com, where you can place an auction
bid online until the day of the auction.
The Phoenicia Times and Olive Free Press have chronicled the
Leaping Trout Art Project since its inception. The PT and
OFP have been a supporter and
enabler of not only the Leaping Trout Project, but all the
conservation efforts of the APWC-TU, as well. When these newspapers
are gone, they will be leaving behind a big hole in our mountain
community. A heart-felt thanks from Trout Unlimited to Brian
Powers, Paul Smart, their families, and staff for their tireless
efforts to inform and enrich our mountain community. Your
voice will be missed.
Mark Loete, Chair
The Leaping Trout Art Project
Chichester, NY
Dear Editor,
To start with, we need to determine who runs the government?
If you say the voters and all the politicians we elected,
you are wrong. Big Business runs Washington. Big Business,
12,000 companies and associations, employs 2,500 lobbying
firms, using 22,000 lobbyists to influence 100 senators, 435
members of congress and their 7,000 staffers.
We have heard so much about lost jobs. They were not lost
- Big Business exported those jobs to China, India and other
"less developed countries." The reasons are very
simple; increased profits through near slave labor.
The first wave of exports was in the textile industry, the
mills and the cut and sew operations. Business chased low
cost labor and we could not compete. Next major industry to
go was the steel industry. We needed to clean up the air in
Gary, Cleveland and other steel producing cities. Oh yes,
let us not forget increased profits. Now the ore is mined
in Australia, shipped to China, where the Mongolian and Chinese
coal is used to make steel for buildings in America, including
the new World Trade Center.
Now the part that I am most familiar with is the Electronics
Industry. I was the CFO of Admiral Corporation, at one time
the largest manufacturer of Television Sets in America. As
imports increased, we required help. Admiral Corporation was
taken over by Rockwell International and they found they did
not have the answers and shuttered the TV plants at a great
loss. Closing plants was also the fate of Zenith, Motorola,
Sylvania, GE, and Westinghouse.
Now, today, Flat Screen TV's, Computers, iPods, Cell Phones
and a host of other electronic products are not only produced
with cheap labor, $166 a month, but with skilled labor and
new high tech machines from Germany. These companies do the
complete process from design to boxed-for-delivery throughout
the world. One electronics manufacturer, Foxconn, a Chinese
company has 25 plants employing 920,000 workers. Revenue last
year was $62 billion. We know this is only one of the many
exporters.
There is a new class of self loading container ships, with
a crew of only 13, carrying 10,000 twenty foot containers
at speeds not dreamed of a few years ago.
Now that we have identified the elephant in the room, what
do we do? If you think the stimulus program will turn the
tide, think again. This did not happen in the last few years.
It is, and has been, a creeping cancer on the American work
force.
We must get out of all agreements that prevent us from running
our own economy. Let's start with a 25 percent duty on luxury
imports that could be manufactured in the USA, and ten percent
on the rest. To settle a trade dispute, President Johnson
imposed a 25 percent duty on light trucks. The duty, called
the "chicken tax" is in effect today and forces
foreign companies to build their light trucks here.
Big Business does not want to change the status quo. Exxon
Mobil, H-P, Intel, Coca-Cola and McDonald's all have over
60 per-cent of their revenue from overseas expanding markets
such as China and Brazil.
When the politicians talk about bringing jobs to our area,
ask them what their positions are on import duties to level
the playing field.
A few words on personal income taxes. We had a coalition of
both political parties with common interests from 1942 to
1963 when the marginal tax rate was generally ninety-one percent
on taxable income over $400,000. Those were the good years.
James A. Goese
Sarasota, FL
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Olive Free Library Board of Trustees I would
like to take this
opportunity to encourage all the residents of the Town of
Olive to vote YES on the upcoming 414 Resolution on the ballot
on Election Day. The Library Board has studied the issue of
funding for the library for quite sometime and we believe
the 414 Resolution will provide a secure funding source the
library. Our library is a vital resource for the town. It
provides a large selection of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs
and programs to our patrons. Our computers are in constant
demand and we also have free wireless for those who bring
their laptops. Our community rooms are a great center for
many activities and
organizations. During this economic downturn, the library
has been especially
busy helping people searching for jobs and providing materials
and resources for training for new employment. It is also
a great place for FREE entertainment for the family. (DVDs,
games & programs.) We would love to continue to provide
these services and much more but we can not do it without
your support. Please Vote Yes on Election Day, Tuesday, November
2. "Our Community, Our Library."
Mary Ann Shepard, President
Olive Free Library Board of Trustees
Dear Editor,
First off I would like to express my dismay at hearing that
this will be our last edition of The Olive Press and Phoenicia
Times. Although, at times, we have been on different sides
on issues, I have always felt that having a newspaper that
is about our wonderful community was an asset to all of us.
By providing a relatively inexpensive advertising venue for
the many varied activities in both Phoenicia and Olive your
paper made getting the word out easier and will be sorely
missed. As president of the Shandaken Theatrical Society we
relied on the Phoenicia Times and Olive Press to let people
know what shows we were doing and how to contact us. The other
advertising entities available to us are much more expensive
and stretch our limited advertising budget to the limits.
We could, also, always count on your paper to put a photo
or an article in print for us to let the community know what
was happening at STS.
As an Olive resident I always counted on Carol LaMonda's column,
A Jar of Olives, to let me know what was happening in Olive.
Whether I agree with everything written or not I would read
the paper and become more informed on something, and isn't
that the purpose of a newspaper, to inform its readers? Unfortunately
we have no other newspaper that is willing to cover the events
that take place in our communities... I guess we are just
not big enough to merit such coverage... and your leaving
will leave a large gap in keeping us all informed about our
wonderful towns!
It is with deep regret that I write this letter,
Linda Burkhardt
Olivebridge, NY
Dear Editor,
I read with interest a letter from Mr. Mitchell Langbert,
Town of Olive Republican Committee who received financial
information from a local government official. I would be interested
in looking at the same information. The school's latest information
comes from the State Education Department in a District Report
Card format from the 2007-08 data given to taxpayers at annual
budget time. The state reports $12,929 per student for the
general education program, for 1,818 students and $34,231
per student for 339 special education students. Instructional
expenditures for general education for classroom instruction
(excluding Special Education) plus a proration of building
level administrative and instructional support expenditures
show $12,929 per student. These expenditures include amounts
for instruction of students with disabilities in a general
educational setting. District expenditures such as transportation,
debt service and district-wide administration are not included.
Instructional expenditures for Special Education are K-12
expenditures, plus K-12 pupils for students with disabilities
(including summer special school expenditures), plus a proration
of expenses for building level and administration and instructional
support services. Again district expenditures for transportation,
debt service and district-wide administration are not included.
These exclusions allow for a comparable expenditure with schools
of similar size and all public schools across the state. Other
states may report expenditure data in a different manner as
I have discovered from previous comparison studies. It would
be difficult to see such a difference in cost comparison as
noted in the previous letter unless one took the total expenditures
and divided by the number of students to judge how that number
compares with other area schools. That would be comparing
data on an "apples to oranges" basis.
Since districts in the state have some expenditures which
are not easily compared district by district in that some
districts have a central building site for education K-12
which can be less costly to operate, and others have multiple
sites which duplicate costs. Some districts have new construction
costs or long term debt; and some districts have inordinate
transportation costs because they transport students over
large geographic areas to school. Onteora has one of the largest
geographic areas in the state, transporting over 1500 students
to four different sites and a number of other educational
settings over 315 square miles. The sparcity factor for Onteora
is 6 students per square mile as compared with some other
rural areas of 10-25 students per square mile. Such factors
become major considerations for educating costs per student.
One can only hope that comparison studies take into consideration
the diversity of educational costs and compare data on an
"apples to apples" basis.
Many other factors also come into consideration on the revenue
side of the expenditure picture. As I reviewed the information
that I have seen in the district, I do see that Onteora has
the lowest true value tax rate in the area. I found that district's
$10.48 true value rate was dwarfed by local districts which
range from $15.61 per thousand to $19.47, giving credence
that the Onteora District has the lowest rate in the region
and has been careful with expenditures and revenues in the
taxpayers' best interest.
I mention these points in fairness to a district that is making
an effort to keep the costs of education in line while still
striving to provide the best educational program within the
taxpayers' ability to pay. It has been very difficult for
all of us in New York State to cope with the financial burdens,
and no more difficult than for school districts which not
only did not get an increase in state aid, but have given
back several billions of dollars over the last several years.
Charlotte Gregory
Interim Superintendent
Onteora Central School
Boiceville, NY
Dear Editor,
It's unfortunate that the first mainstream expression of the
truth about 9/11 was presented by a contentious representative
of a repressive regime - Ahmadinejad. However, the evidence
supporting his claim - that 9/11 could only have been engineered
by elements inside the U.S. Government - is compelling and
substantive.
Slow motion replays of the collapse of the Twin Towers show
explosions occurring on the corners and mid-sections of the
buildings, just below the collapsing floors. Dust samples
taken from nearby apartment buildings reveal substantial amounts
of a new, high-tech explosive which is known to cause temperatures
far hotter than jet fuel, hot enough to quickly melt, and
even evaporate steel.
The fall of WTC#7 (housing CIA, NSA, World Bank, NYC Emergency
Command Center) occurs in classic demolition form, collapsing
into its own footprint at free fall speed, impossible to occur
from the relatively minor fire damage it suffered. In fact,
the only three steel frame buildings in history ever to collapse
from fire were WTC 1, 2 and 7.
Little or no wreckage, and no bodies were ever recovered from
the site of the jetliner supposedly downed in a Pennsylvania
field. Same for the plane that supposedly struck the Pentagon
- no airplane parts, no bodies. The evidence goes on and on.
Beyond bringing to justice the real architects and perpetrators
of 9/11, these facts should serve to awaken the American people
to the tragic truth of who is controlling their country. Awakening
is the first step. After overcoming the shock and dismay,
we must set about taking our country back from the covert
plutocracy which has so successfully and thoroughly hijacked
our once beloved nation. Google "Loose Change 9/11: An
American Coup" and fasten your seat belts.
Liam Watt
Saugerties, NY
Dear Editor,
This is in response to your September 9 article about the
Planning Board. As usual, you can only print the negative
side of an observation.
The Shandaken Planning Board cancelled their September meeting
because of lack of business, this is true. But I say this
sits very well with all of us on the board, because you failed
to write that the planning board has met this year for 9 workshops,
8 Regular meetings, and at least 3-4 meetings with the Town
Board on the Farm Stand issue. Yes, we found many things to
discuss. We also met a few times for special meetings in regard
to other topics.
How about writing some words of praise for the effort we have
put in. Or that we have met at least 20-24 times THIS YEAR
ALONE and it is only September. I think this is a well deserved
break for us. You must have been waiting all year for us to
take a meeting off so that you could write about it. Because
I have not seen a thing all year in your paper about any of
our meetings. The meetings you DO NOT have the courtesy to
attend. But of course, you wouldn't write something positive,
would you.
On your other topic, Beth Waterman was not STRIPPED of anything.
We as a board nominate a new chairman every year. This is
so everyone gets a chance to be Chairman.And she was not REMOVED
from the Planning Board by the Town Board or Rob Stanley,
her term was up and she was simply not re-appointed. She was
on the board for at least 10 years. She was put on the board
in 2000 to finish out Tim Molloy's appointment and then was
reappointed for her own term of 7 years. You would almost
think this was a campaign ad, set out by you to re-appoint
her, and portraying her as if a terrible injustice was done,
when there was no such thing.
In the future, please try to report ALL sides of an issue
before you engage your mouth or your pen. There is enough
drama in Shandaken without you dreaming up some.
Joanne Kalb, Vice Chairman
Shandaken Planning Board
Big Indian, NY
Dear Editor,
One day we"ll be silent from all that we say.The people
with power will take that away.The"ll pick at our freedoms,one
day at a time.You wont see it comming,you"ll think its
just fine.And one day you'll wake up and be told what to do.from
what car to drive to what brand of shoe.So dont you just sit
there,STAND UP AND FIGHT!In novembers election,we can make
things alright.
I'll miss your paper...
Anthony Scampoli
Olivebridge NY
Dear Editor,
I am really upset and disappointed that my very favorite local
newspaper is closing down the presses. Do you realize how
important you have been for the past 7 years? Your newspaper
gives its readers a well balanced, clever, exciting, interesting,
focused views of how things are, not just in the high Catskills
but world wide. We will all be greatly diminished without
that sweet little newspaper which you have lovingly produced
for us each couple of weeks.
There is nothing out there quite like your progressive voice.
It should not be silenced. We need you.
Lee Parker
Arkville, NY
Dear Editor,
Recently, there have been increasing calls to rein in New
York State's Medicaid budget. Both the Republican gubernatorial
candidate and New York's Lieutenant Governor have pointed
to the need for reform as the Medicaid budget continues to
skyrocket.
Through my work with the Resource Center for Accessible Living,
a Kingston-based non-profit organization that assists people
with disabilities to live more independent lives. I have seen
areas where reform is warranted.
In my opinion, there should be a "look-back" period
for people who receive Medicaid funded community care. At
present, people can transfer assets one day and qualify for
Medicaid the next. Although there is a transfer penalty for
Medicaid coverage of institutional-level nursing home care,
there is no transfer penalty for community Medicaid - coverage
of regular medical services and most home care programs. As
a taxpayer, I think that's pretty outrageous! Secondly, people
on Medicaid who are employed should be obligated to take their
employer health plan, if offered, as primary insurance. Medicaid
can often pay for the employee's share of the employer health
plan so that the employer plan becomes primary and Medicaid
secondary. To me, that's good public policy.
Finally, at first glance, it would appear that spousal impoverishment
is something that should be eliminated. However, if spousal
impoverishment didn't exist, the "well" spouse would
be driven below poverty so that the ill spouse could get needed
care through Medicaid. That's not humane - provisions for
spousal impoverishment should remain intact.
Fran Wishnick, Resource Center for Accessible Living
Kingston, NY
Dear Editor,
I'm going to DC on Saturday to stand with hopefully tens of
thousands of trade unionists and anti-war activists at the
10/02/10 One Nation rally to say that good jobs with good
benefits are possible if we realign our priorities and refuse
to be baited into blaming each other or giving up on our dreams
of a better world. I'll be carrying a two-sided sign- 'When
did teachers get so powerful that we are responsible for everything
that's wrong with the schools? When the right wing decided
that good public schools and well paid teachers stand in the
way of their plans to pauperize America' on one side and 'They
wanted to privatize social security. Imagine if they had succeeded!
Now they want to privatize the schools. They must be stopped
again! on the other. All right, it doesn't exactly roll off
the tongue but I'm out of practice.
Your paper has kept us well informed and provided a forum
for all different voices but has always reserved a special
place for voices of dissent such as mine that are often kept
out of mainstream media. You will be greatly missed! I hope
your staff is able to hang around and continue to enrich our
community.
Matt Frisch
Highmount, NY
Dear Editor,
A member of the Olive Day organization, Linda Burkhardt ,suggested
I contact you if possible to post the following letter of
gratitude in the Olive Press.
Olive Day has been an event that I looked forward to every
year. It has been similar to a family reunion. It's a time
to gather and see the originals of Town of Olive year after
year. What was a small event has now grown into a huge event.
From the originals we now have extensions of families,friends
and neighbors. We all share our memories of the past, moments
of the present and thoughts of the future. Even though Olive
Day is a fund raiser for Democrats, politics are put aside
on Olive Day, and it is about the people within the town and
those coming to Olive. It's about a community helping each
other while at the same time having a fabulous time. Olive
day is about the children having the frog jumping contest.The
Boy Scouts demonstrating their loyalty,obedience and kindness.
This year through the kindness of the organizers of the 'Olive
Day' and the Perry family, an announcement was made just a
few weeks before Olive Day, that some of the proceeds from
the Kent Reeves Memorial Run would be donated to my son, Jason
Jones, who is undergoing Stage 4 Cancer surgery and treatments.
The Perry family organized the walk/run and in addition donated
all of the proceeds from their Nascar simulator. The energy
created and generosity from these acts of kindness is priceless.
The out flowing of support that can truly lift ones spirit
is incredible.
I want to thank each and everyone that participated in the
walk/run and to those that took a ride in 'The Marine'. Thank
you to those giving individual donations. Special thanks to
Patrick Burkhardt (the new Windham Warrior) his wife Jeannine
Burkhardt ..thank you to your sponsors.. my gratitude for
all your tremendous efforts in contacting the Onteora Runners
and Eric Houghtaling. Additional special thanks to Andrew
Burkhardt and Chelsey Brooks and their sponsors. Thank you
to Olivia Fitzpatrick and the Onteora Color Guard. Heart warming
thank you my parents Ed & Donna Burkhardt for all your
endless love and support. Loving thank you to Fred & Linda
Burkhardt,Chris & Kathy Schoonmaker, Stephen Burkhardt,
Eddie Burkhardt. Thank you for your support Bridgett and Mike
Driscoll, and Amanda Burkhardt. Thank you to Tracy and Damien
Magarelli. Thank you to Jenn Valle, Sydney and Mackenzie Skinner
for your artistic talents. Thank you to Don, Liz, Catherine
and Nick Jones. A gracious thank you to 'The Kingston Dialysis
team' and thank you to employees of the Kingston Health Alliance
for all your donated time. A savior thank you to Kai Hillman.
Lastly, thank you to my son Jason for your strength, courage,
and determination.
Thank you to the Olive Press..... you will be missed ... shall
you print again.
Respectfully,
Margaretha Jones
Olive, NY
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank all the wonderful people who made Olive
Day 2010 such a great success! Olive Day happens because a
lot of people work very hard to make it happen and I want
to thank all my fellow members of The Olive Democrats for
all the hard work that went into a successful Olive Day! The
Olive Fire Dept, The Olive First Aid Unit,The Boy Scouts,
Cub Scouts,The Food Bank at the Olive Bridge Methodist Church,
The Killian Foundation, The benefit for Joe that Ed Kahill
ran , the benefit for Jason Jones, the little girl who collected
blankets and towels for dogs in shelters were all present
at Olive Day. There was a record crowd and everyone seemed
to be having fun! Olive Day has always been a day for laughing,
meeting people you may not see all year, dancing, eating good
food and just plain having fun!
Boy Scout troupe 163 had a beautiful ceremony at the beginning
of the day commemorating the 9/11 attacks on our country and
I am not ashamed to say that It brought tears to my eyes and
,I am sure most everyone else who watched the ceremony.
Did everyone see the rope bridge that Boy Scout Troupe 63
constructed? There was also a wonderful section for a scout
camp and a dunking booth, I hear they were lined up to dunk
Bruce LaMonda, and a Jumping House. Olive has very active
Boy Scout Troupes and it was great to see the efforts of the
young people in our community appreciated!
The Olive First Aid Unit was there offering information, Blood
Pressure checks and also selling Ice Cream as a fund raiser,
I have not gotten back to them yet, but It looked like it
was a success! Olive Day is a time when many local people
are able to sell things they make, like Buddy Eckerts maple
syrup, or Louise Schryver's hand knitted garments, or even
Alex's marshmallow guns! Other organizations use Olive Day
as a fund raiser, like The Bushkill Rod and Gun Club, with
their chicken dinners and the much talked about chicken liver,
bacon and onion sandwiches, I heard a rumor that they had
to go out and get more chicken livers!
Olive Day is also a time for getting information out to everyone,
the Ulster County Health Dept was there with a table full
of information as well as the Ulster County Area Transportation
with bus schedules. Cornell Co-operative with their stream
management display and The Ashokan Center with their displays
were all busy . Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation
were there to explain what they are all about and maybe to
raise funds to help with their causes.On a personal note,
my nephew Jason Jones, was so very touched by the outpouring
of love and support he received in his ongoing battle with
cancer. Knowing that so many people care about him is a very
potent medicine and will help in his recovery every bit as
much as the chemo he will undergo. I want to say Thank you
to all that contributed and stopped by to wish Jason well
I know he was overwhelmed with the love he received.
If you were there you would have seen a lot of people enjoying
a beautiful day in the Catskill's and the company,music,food,and
booths of their friends and neighbors! I was in charge of
the vendors for this event and after it was over I spoke with
a lot of them and what they told me made so proud to be a
part of our community! They said that they love doing Olive
Day...not because they make a boat load of money, but because
the people who come to Olive Day are so wonderful!
So Thank You wonderful people of Olive for making this years
Olive Day the success it was for without you there could not
be an Olive Day!
Linda Burkhardt
Olivebridge, NY
Dear Editor,
Good bye Olive Press.
One of the most important elements in the making of a community
is local paper. For ten years the Town of Olive has has grown
as a community because of our local paper. I have counted
on the Olive Press to keep me connected to the goings on specific
to my town, socially, culturally and politically. We will
surly become less with the loss of this paper.
Thank you Brian Powers for your courage and vision. Keeping
them honest and us informed. Thank you Paul Smart for your
attention to the arts, music, theatre being presented by our
neighbors here in our town.
I will miss reading the columns from Jen Holz, Aaron Bennett,
Cally Mansfield and all the others. I will miss the Olive
Calendar and the oh yes the letters, I think I will miss these
the most. The Olive Press was such a presents to my live here
is Olive its hard to believe it's ending.
Good bye and thank you all for this wonderful gift.
Ron Aja
West Shokan, NY
Dear Editor,
I read the current isssue of your wonderful paper last evening
with a tear in my eye. We all know that the use of the internet
has changed the way people want to get their news. Older folks,
like myself, used to need to see it in print to believe it,
but the world is changing and we either change with it, or
become extinct.
I am over 50 and have looked forward to reading your newspaper
every 2 weeks, since I moved to Olivebridge 4 years ago. From
the proper translation of Abenimenijad's speech to the U.S.
a couple of years ago to the back page "people on the
street" questions, your paper has been informative and
enjoyable. THANK YOU.
But before I say goodbye, I have an idea. Start the "Olive
Press Blog". Let us all know about it in the last issue
and on the local radio stations. I'm sure you will create
a following. There are legitimate ways to make income from
such a venture. Google "Ken McCarthy". He's a tech-saavy
guy right here in our own Hudson Valley who conducts seminars
on writing and making money on the internet. Your staff already
knows how to write. All you need is the marketing team to
gather info. Google "Making money on blogs", and
see where that leads you.
I have dial-up service where I live, and an enjoyable low-paying
job. I have never tried making money off the internet, but
I do know people who have.
Just a suggestion, folks.
Katherine DeLaRosa
Olive, NY
Dear Editor,
Most Shandaken residents know that a lawsuit remains pending
between the town and 29 families of the Shandaken Landowners
Association. Since few people I think, really know what it's
about, and since everyone in town is paying - year after year-
to defend the town's actions, I think it's time people actually
thought about what what's being defended and why.
Shandaken has not had an official tax reevaluation since 1978.
The result is that since then some families have paid high
taxes while others paid lower ones in the form of 1978 property
values. A few people, in other words, have been carrying the
tax burden for the many. In recent years this has been changing,
as the current assessors appear to be trying to apply our
laws somewhat more fairly. But that's our current situation;
not the one our 29 families were compelled to file suit over,
five and a half years ago.
Our 29 family own properties larger than 20 acres; in 2005,
Shandaken's assessors illegally raised our assessments, forcing
us to pay up to 50% more than what New York State or New York
City were assessed at for their undeveloped forest landholdings.
It was a clear violation of the state's State Real Property
Law and of our federally protected civil rights under the
Equal Protection clause of the United States Constitution.
Before they did this, they asked the state if they could raise
just the taxes on privately owned properties larger than 20
acres. They state said they couldn't. They did it anyway.
Then after we filed suit, the next year, 2006, they went to
the state and the city and said look: the private landowners
are paying our new rate, now you have to pay that amount too.
And the state and the city, said: "OK, sure." Why,
we don't know.
Over the past 15 years we have seen a rash of illegal and
one sided assessment practices in Shandaken. There are laws
to protect residents from improper or unfair practices but
if the laws are ignored then the tax assessor has a free hand
to tax who they want and for whatever amount. Here's an example:
When you buy a home, its market assessment is what you inherit.
A tax assessor cannot just show up and raise your taxes because
you just moved in. There is even a name for this illegal practice,
it is called the "Welcome Newcomer law" and it's
long been standard operating procedure in Shandaken. Many
people buy a vacation home or are part time residents; there
is no way they can contest this illegal act and the town knows
it. They are not even allowed to vote in this town even though
they pay taxes here. So the practice goes on.
When I first purchased my land in 1997, I fell victim to this
when the tax assessor decided to jack up my taxes over 300%
on lands that were not improved or changed but simply purchased
by myself. When we went to town hall on Grievance Day we were
told, "if you can't afford it maybe you should leave".
This good old boy approach to taxation in Shandaken is a dark
and dishonorable way to do business. In fact, experts hired
by the Shandaken Landowners have researched the tax rolls
and have found no uniform or coherent taxation practice. Some
people are given a tax hike just because they bought a home
and others just because they painted theirs. In other cases
things seem more personal. Maybe the tax assessor did not
liked them or maybe they did, this is not how taxation should
work. I would also like to correct Paul Smart numbers on the
price increase of the disputed land values. It was not $600
per acre but was changed from $600 per assessed acre to $2,400
market value per acre. Either way, any increase obtained illegally
from a citizen is criminal regardless of the assessors reasoning.
The families of the Shandaken Landowners Association are Republicans,
Democrats and every shade of non-enrolled and non-aligned.
We filed suit because in 2005 the town knowingly and intentionally
violated our civil rights by singling us out for illegal taxation
practices. We believe they committed another crime by falsely
certifying the town's 2005 tax roll. They did both those things
so that the following year, they could leverage the two illegal
actions to get the state and city to pay more in taxes. When
you violate one family's civil rights you violate everybody's
civil rights. Today you nail the people with red houses, so
that tomorrow you can nail the people with blue houses. This
is not how the laws are written and this has to stop, and
we are trying to stop it here, forever.
The SLA has repeatedly attempted to work with the town board
in resolving these issues and bringing fair taxation to the
town. We have been met each time with a deaf ear and their
response has been to litigate this in court costing the town
of Shandaken many hundred of thousands of dollars. Recently
the SLA won again an appeal where the township to have our
case dismissed. The judge who presided over this appeal found
that in fact the SLA has grounds for this suit and denied
the town's request. I personally wrote the town supervisor
asking him if he would like to sit down and resolve this.
His answer again was no-response to my letter but a refilling
of the appeal. This will continue to cost the town and the
SLA but let it be known the SLA is not going away and we will
win in the end. I do not know about you but I want to live
in a town where the town itself follows the letter of the
law and fair practice. Shandaken needs to own up to what it
actually did during the years when Rosalie Boland ran the
Assessor's office. It needs to make things right with its
citizens that were victimized. Our town board has managed
to keep our experts and testimony out of open court for over
5 years, but we will get our day there and we will prevail.
Fair taxation must be the prime agenda of all town board members
and citizens.
Peter Vinci, President
Shandaken Landowners Association
Pine Hill, NY
Dear Editor,
On the suspension of publication of The Phoenicia Times, for
me, loss does not describe it. I see it as creating a very
bleak vacuum. A while back I started to think of a town as
having a consciousness and helping it to grow and mature.
I was thinking and feeling this in relation to Woodstock that
I moved to 53 years ago as an artist, only I was disturbed
by the narrowness of the vision there. It was not in touch
with the depth and richness of Woodstock. The consciousness
of the town was being controlled and directed too narrowly.
The editor had been Town Supervisor.
The Phoenicia Times has the potential to express the richness
of Shandaken and let its growth be more open and organic.
Editors of small town newspapers can become self-important
and controlling because it's a one-man operation. I felt The
Phoenicia Times was avoiding that. Without this paper how
will the Town of Shandaken know what it is or what it is becoming?
This is a serious loss. The paper has been published with
a concerned and caring intelligence that will be hard to replace.
I will certainly miss this avenue of communication.
Bob Jacobson
Mt Tremper, NY
Dear Editor,
It is hard to fathom that there will be no more Phoenicia
Times after this issue and what it will be like without this
big/little newspaper that has become such an integral part
of our community. We thank you for all these years of hard
work, dedication, wit, creativity, local color, perspective.....
We thank you for covering the big and little things in our
town and for your attention to the details that make us who
we are. We thank you for making the Phoenicia Times and Olive
Press a focal point for information about local issues of
critical importance so that we could remain engaged and informed.
A special thanks to Brian Powers whose inspiration it was
to begin the Phoenicia Times, who carried it on his shoulders,
who stayed up late and got up early for it, all in service
to our community. We wish you a great next project, whatever
that may be. We are sure it will be awesome!
To all who made the Phoenicia Times and Olive Press possible,
we all thank you,
Judith Wyman, Loren Quinby
Marcy Meiller, Pete DiModica and Chandra Lencina, Jack Morelli
and Christie Scheele, Glenna Herz, Rich and Bonnie Schaedle,
Anique and Nesha Taylor, Ian and Nanci Laughin, Doris Bartlett,
Kathryn Haber,Jean Druffner, Mary Macy, Susan Robertson ,
Calandra Cruickshank,
The Ladner Family, Ricarda O'Connor and Michael Ottavi, Aaron
Bennett, Mary Herrmann, Rick, Jen and Joey Dragon, Stephanie
Blackman and Mark Loete, Michele Wooten, Dave Pillard, Dara
Heinlein, Susanna Margolis, Maureen Nagy, Deborah Spivack,
Nita Friedman, Nick Alba,
Jim Nevin, Freddi Dunleavy and Goline Doremus, Sharon Umhey,
Holly George Warren and the Phoenicia Library Board,
And many more who were not able to respond by press time...