McDonough has over and over again shown that she is the best candidate by far and should be our next alderman. I’m going to be sure my vote is going to bring positive change this year.
Jessica Baughman, Kingston
Reynolds misses mark
Despite what columnist Hugh Reynolds might believe, my purpose for defending the Town of Ulster in the redistricting process was simply because no one else was. At no time was it my intention “to muck up things.” My intention was to get fair representation for a town that deserves at least one legislator with a district solely within its borders. I requested that the commission reconsider the plan for Ulster because I felt it did not meet with the spirit of the Charter. My request to reconsider goes to the basic components of the County Charter (C-10 Par. A) where it states keeping towns whole is the top priority.
The Town of Ulster has over 12,000 residents, yet there was not one proposed plan that gave Ulster its own district. Not one. That cannot be said for any other town that has a population that can have a self-contained district. With enough residents for around one and a half districts at 8,500 people per district, Ulster deserves its own voice. It should have had a stand-alone district that gave a legislator the ability to represent the unique features of the town. Ulster is the retail center of the county. It produces over 50 percent of the sales tax revenue and should have a representative to advocate for those unique qualities. As a result of the redistricting, the town now has one district that includes the Town of Kingston and another that includes a portion of the Town of Saugerties.
Mr. Reynolds has been around a long time and possesses a wealth of experience with politics and politicians. However, he does not know it all, as evidenced by his assumption of my intentions. I stand by my protest of the redistricting plan for the reasons stated above.
Brian Cahill, Town of Ulster
Canopy condolences
We came up to Kingston last weekend for the first time this summer and were shocked and saddened to see the so-called renovation of the main part of the Stockade area — specifically the new canopy replacing the one installed in the 1970s. The skylights, the plastic planters, the removal of the trees — all of this work is a desecration that will surely discourage many people from visiting this part of the city in future. The charm of the area has been ruined by this poorly thought out installation — one fears forever. The architects or designers who are responsible for this work should be publicly held to account.
My friends who live in the Kingston area feel the same way — and I note that many business owners are also up in arms.
Join the family! 
