Major traffic and parking regulations affecting both Harding and Roosevelt Avenue intersections along Albany Avenue have dramatically improved the appearance of this commercial and residential area.
Polacco has shown himself to be able to work with all the members of the Kingston Council. He has also been able to demonstrate his independence from his own party when the interests of the people of Kingston are involved.
We need an independent voice who can recognize and act on business development, the fiscal impact on taxpayers, as well as the basic need for safety of people in our neighborhoods. He deserves the support of Republicans in the primary for mayor on Sept. 13.
Jack Grogan
Kingston
Respect nurses — give them a contract
2011 marks the 110th organizational birthday of the New York Nurses Association (NYSNA), the oldest and largest state member of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Our mission is to support and enhance the practice of the registered professional nurse and to improve the public’s health by providing leadership in changing the health care environment. Activities include education, practice and research clinical support and educational advancement, governmental affairs where grassroots nurses promote legislation and confer with Congressional representatives on issues that protect public health and safety, and a statewide peer assistance program (SPAN) for nurses in danger of impairment due to substance abuse.
Our local District 11 represents nurses from Ulster and Greene counties from all practice settings. We collaborate with health officials on a local, state, and national level. We offer several educational programs throughout the year, sponsor nursing educational scholarships, and coordinate Nightingale Tributes that honor our colleagues’ lifelong commitment to their profession. Our local chapter does not engage in any union activity. RNs are encouraged to renew your membership ($25/year) and renew your commitment to your professional organization! (Graduate nurses get one year free membership. Nurse administrators, under-represented over the last several years, are welcome!)
On June 23, Benedictine RNs voted to reaffirm our decision to have NYSNA represent us in collective bargaining … yes, over two and a half years ago, we sought our first contract. NYSNA is the largest union solely dedicated to the interests of the RNs and their patients, numbering over 36,000 members. As nurses, we are so committed to caring for patients that we neglect to care for ourselves or have the energy or labor knowledge to protest unsafe assignments and insist on fair compensation. Prior to union interest — there were no raises (even cost of living) for Benedictine nurses for many years. When we pressed the issue of unfair wages between both hospitals, a small raise was given to Kingston and Bene nurses with still wide gaps in parity. Of course this issue has become a pawn in negotiations — if administration stands behind Benedictine nurses, why delay our contract over years, why won’t you let us meet with representatives on our breaks at the hospital, why would you deny us retroactive pay for those inequities that you claim we are refusing? We just want it in writing — yes, please, a contract. Our CEO has a contract, why not us? We want protection and representation in job security within the Alliance and our patient care settings. We want to stop the costly habit of training nurses who then leave us to get better wages across the river. We ask our beloved hospital(s) to respect us and negotiate fairly. Thank you.
Sue Kehoe, RN
Saugerties
Let’s all move to King’s Inn
I recently read in our local papers that Alderman Shirley Whitlock has asked the Common Council for $10,000 from the city’s contingency fund to redo the floors at the Hodge Center.
Join the family! 
