Windbag
Like the coyote baying at the moon, the cockalorums of this Town ululate their importance to those who will listen.
Howard Harris
Bearsville
Affordable In Aspen
I had a great laugh over Ms. York’s comment in the September 14, New York Times article about your local affordable housing controversy. She was quoted as saying “Go to Aspen and say, ‘What are you doing to make this affordable?’ — and they’ll laugh at you.” Not only do they not laugh at you, but Aspen has to two kinds of affordable housing: one you can rent, and one you can buy. When an owner sells an “owned” property, the dollar amount of profit to be made is limited by a very specific formula. I hope Ms. York does not have a stroke when she learns that little piece of information.
The NIMBYs in your area are from New York City. The NIMBYs in my area are from California. Every affordable housing project sees the same opposition: It is wildlife habitat. It will increase traffic. It will endanger children on the way to school. It will decrease property values. What they really want to say is “It will attract unsavory characters. I don’t want my children going to school with their children.” We also see the reaction “I am here. Now close the door.” Sounds like Robin Segal may fit in that category.
Dickie D. Lewis
Clifton, Colorado
Humbled, Inspired
We had an exciting and joyful night at the Colony last Friday, preparing for the Democratic Primary Election. To all those members of the community who attended the party, and to so many voters who gave me their confidence for another term on the Town Board, I thank you. Woodstock is the Colony of the Artists, and I thank them here: Laurie Kirby, Julie Parisi, Norman Wennet, Bruce Ackerman, Dave Hanzel, Tom Pacheco, Marc Black, Charles Lyonhart, Chris Zaloom, who performed with several groups, George Quinn, T.G.Vanini, Luke Hunsberger, Bruce Milner, Greg Dinger, Julie Last, Phil Void and Janice Kollar.
It’s humbling and inspiring that so many Woodstockers came out to be helpful friends. I honor their trust and I will continue to do the best I can for all parts of our wonderfully diverse Town. I have a number of topics to share with you in succeeding letters here, and don’t forget the Town meeting I’ve called for on Tuesday, September 27, 7 p.m. at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center, for the purpose of getting input on the upcoming Budget. I will have the latest figures available for discussion.
Jay Wenk
Woodstock
Free Not To Look
It was a bit shocking and amazing when I heard that some atheists were offended, and were moving to block the display of the Iron girders in the shape of a cross that were found at ground zero. I don’t remember anywhere in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution where American citizens had the right not be offended. We have the right not to be injured, unfairly punished or discriminated against. But if we don’t like our fellow citizen’s religious symbols, can we get mad, bully them into submission and force removal? I am sure many of those who died on 9/11 and after were of the Christian faith. The radio report stated that the Jewish Anti-defamation League had no problem with the cross.
In the past few years, citizens have given the impression that no one has the right to believe anything that may be offensive to another citizen, and the Christians have too long allowed this false idea to influence our culture. I find dracula, witches, and slash-murderers to be offensive, but I doubt anyone will cancel halloween because I find this pagan worship and its symbols demeaning and an affront to good morals. I found it offensive when the news identified the mass murderer in Sweden as a Christian, when his actions clearly prove he is anti-Christ.
God gets blamed for the evil acts or bad behavior that men do. We are independent moral agents that sometimes fail in carrying out our responsibilities. Great freedom requires great responsibility. It is high time that the true Christians step up, speak up, and say, “no” to the minorities that want to change our culture and our faith based on their personal sensibilities or contrasting behaviors. If some don’t like the symbol at the 9/11 memorial, they have the freedom not to look at it; I won’t be offended.
Don Moore
West Hurley