Executive’s OK with me
I for one support the change in Ulster County to an executive form of government. We need a leader who is accountable on major decisions so we don’t wind up with another jail debacle. I understand Suffolk County faced a nursing home problem similar to Ulster County. They decided to build a new nursing home and now they can’t afford to operate it. Taxpayers are still paying for the building. With a county executive like Mike Hein taking a leadership role under the charter, this is a mistake that Ulster County residents can avoid.
Vanessa VanBurek, Rosendale
Say it and mean it
Christmas is coming. It is the best time of the year. We need to make it special for our children in this time of economic uncertainty. Even though the celebration of Christmas is exploited for business profit, and used selfishly; Christmas is a time when everyone feels the impulse to think of others, and gather together. That is why the angels proclaimed the message “Fear Not! To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” It is this message that drives out fear and brings joy, peace, and love. Let us pray for peace on Earth. Having time for one another will be a much better Christmas then rushing around trying to get the best deals at shopping malls. The greatest gift we can give is to say “Merry Christmas, and God bless you!” to everyone we meet, and really mean it!
Johann Christoph Arnold, Senior pastor, Woodcrest Bruderhof Community, Rifton
Hein’s a leader
We need a strong, accountable executive form of government in Ulster County. I am relieved that County Executive Mike Hein is willing to take a leadership role on difficult problems facing all New York State counties like transitioning our nursing home. By proposing an innovative transition that saves Golden Hill, our county government will be better able to support my Democratic ideals by providing government service to help those in need with no other options. Ulster County must examine Golden Hill alternatives and other third-rail county issues so that taxpayers can continue to fund programs like mental health counseling, community college and sheriff’s road patrol while still affording to stay in their homes.
John Summerford, Plattekill
Insane technology
I attended two of the four DEC public hearings on hydrofracking, along with an overwhelming majority who opposed this insane technology. Scientists, doctors and a lot of very smart folks made Swiss cheese of the DEC’s latest environmental impact study.
Join the family! 
