In the world of education today Albany dictates the curriculum taught in each 13 school districts and Albany dictates pass/fail criteria. Albany dictates how to accomplish their vision of education. Consider Albany’s venture into modern math, whole language and now the fad of the day, the physical shape and size of a school building to promote good grades. When taxpayers and renters complain about the cost of all this, district officials point the finger at mandates and say, “Albany made me do it.”
So we are confronted with a choice — accept it as it is or do something about it. After all this waste is part of your single largest tax obligation, your school tax. I encourage you to do two simple things. Write your letter to the newspaper and school board member in support of organization change in how we educate our children. Call or write your state assemblyperson or senator and demand that counties have the authority to create a county-wide school district.
Okay, three simple things. Also call or write our county executive and county legislators to ask county support for this necessary sharing of services and cost reduction. And when you first don’t succeed, try and try again.
Ron Dietl, Kingston
My dream for our county
I recently attended a hearing for the 2012 budget proposal at the Woodstock Community Center. I want to thank the members of the legislature for making themselves available to listen to the concerns of the community outside of the normal legislature meetings.
I have a question for everyone who works and lives in Ulster County. What do we want Ulster County to be known for? Do we just want to be known for tourism? Or do we want to be known for a great community that provides services and programs to care for their residents’ needs?
I understand that economic times are very difficult and nobody wants their taxes to increase. But, let’s face it, our taxes are going to increase no matter if we get rid of programs and services that are run by the county. So, as a taxpayer, I would like my money to go towards providing care for me and my family.
My family has been a consumer of mental health services for the past six years, which are provided by the Ulster County Department of Mental Health. They offer many programs other than just counseling. By being able to utilize the programs and services available, my family has been able to overcome challenges that we would not have been able to without the help and care of the wonderful staff at UCMH. The skills that we have been able to learn will ensure a more stable and hopeful future for my children.
If Ulster County privatizes mental health services and Golden Hill Health Care Center, continues to cut programs like the substance abuse program and the Harbor Program, what will entice people to continue to live in our county, as well as entice people to move here?
Tourism is definitely important to maintain revenue and show people what the county has to offer. I want my children to be proud to live in Ulster County and want them to want to work and raise their families here when they are adults. Our children are the future of Ulster County and the ones who will be around to sustain the community. If we have nothing to offer them, then there is no reason for them to stay when they grow up.
I am asking all of you in the community to come out to local government meetings and county meetings. Talk to the county executive’s office, our local elected officials as well as our senators and tell them what is important to you and your family. If you utilize services in the county, whether it is mental-health services and programs, employment training programs, alcohol and substance abuse programs or care of our elderly, please write letters about your experiences with programs and services you are involved in and what the outcome could be if they were to be lost. Call your local legislators and the county executive’s office.
I understand everyone is busy, but time is of the essence and it only takes five minutes to make a phone call, send an e-mail or write a note. In order to make the decisions that are beneficial to our community they must hear from the community. Education of what our needs are is crucial. Remember, we are all taxpayers and we are entitled to get the best care possible. Everyone in the county executive’s office as well as our legislators have been more than willing to take the time to listen to me and respond to my concerns and questions. Please help educate our county officials and executives in what our needs are to survive and ensure a safe and healthy future.
Amy Russell, West Hurley
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