Focus on the positive
As one of the cited organizers of the recent PACE aka concerned parents for education meeting at the Senior Center, I was disappointed that the Saugerties Times article failed to underscore the amazing positive energy in the room. Although there is a lot to be concerned about the current state of education both locally and nationally, I was really encouraged to be at a meeting that was filled with parents and stakeholders talking about solutions, support and community. It is my heartfelt belief that a lot of great things can result from people coming together to talk about solutions and not focusing on the negative.
Please join the conversation at the next meeting, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Saugerties Senior Center.
Beth Humphrey
Saugerties
Apology owed
Everyone who cherishes “historic Saugerties” appreciates that the Saugerties Times has been reporting the controversy about Clovelea (aka The Stonewall, aka The Dragon Inn). I write on behalf of my friend and colleague Michael Sullivan Smith to set the record straight about a paragraph in the front page story “Destined for Demolition” of Feb 21. The paragraph begins “Snyder also took time to blast Sullivan Smith…” asserting that the latter had written something on his blog that was “bigoted, political and inciting people against the project…disturbing and shameful.” There is no truth to the “blast” — none .
The complete url of the Clovelea piece is below. As Mr. Smith patiently explained to reporter Robert Ford, the piece is 100 percent informational. It makes no call for anyone to “rise up.”
https://saugerties-on-hudson.blogspot.com/2012/12/clovelea-icon-of-era.html
Both the town and the village of Saugerties are very fortunate to have Michael Sullivan Smith working as hard as he does on researching, teaching and preserving our history. The village is fortunate to have a diligent and caring Historic Review Board that has been handling the case of Clovelea. It’s too bad that Mr. Snyder’s completely inaccurate characterization of the essay, and by extension of its author, made the front page while Mr. Smith’s gentle rebuttal is buried on page 7.
I think there are good reasons why the owner of Clovelea, which was designated in 2007, should not be granted a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the structure. That the house was designated under the laws of the village as having historical significance is only one of them. There were very good reasons, too, for someone (not Mr. Smith as it turns out) to have encouraged members of the public to express their opinions in a hearing about the C of A. That is what a public hearing is for. If no one on the Historic Review Board or acting for it had tried to alert the public that a hearing was upcoming, the board would have been remiss. This is a pivotal case for historic preservation in Saugerties. “Bigotry” was never a factor, unless Mr. Snyder defines all opinions at odds with his own as bigotry.
My letter today, however, is not to discuss the hearing process, which will proceed under law. It is to remind residents of the village and the town that Michael Sullivan Smith is an extraordinarily able and dedicated (unpaid) public servant. Nasty quotes are part of public life, but when they are plain wrong they should be retracted. Mr. Snyder owes Mr. Smith an apology.
Stephen Shafer
Saugerties
Helsmoortel’s deficits
Recently, former Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel refuted my statement that Kelly Myers entered office with a deficit. However, the facts show the old supervisor is wrong.
According to information supplied by the town, the General Fund balance at the end of 2011, when Helsmoortel left office, was -$41,500. In addition, the Town Outside Village fund had a negative fund balance of -$76,800.
What’s most shocking is that the General Fund balance was over $768,000 at the end of 2007. Four years later, under Helsmoortel’s stewardship, it was gone. This is one reason why the town’s credit rating was lowered during his tenure.
In addition to a negative fund balance and completely cleaned out office, Helsmoortel left behind $250,000 in unbudgeted welfare expenses and an unpaid $90,000 bill from the county Board of Elections. Plus, property taxes doubled during his time in office! A professional and civil assessment of Helsmoortel’s financial record is that it is dismal!
Kelly Myers entered office facing a financial mess. Thanks to her strong leadership, the town is on sound financial footing heading into the future.
Joe Roberti Jr.
Chair, Saugerties GOP
Reagan was no fiscal Conservative
I find it difficult to understand why Ronald Reagan is the hero of Conservative America. At the end of President Carter’s term the national debt was $930,210,392,000,000. At the end of President Reagan’s term the debt was $2,684,392,000,000. That means that in eight years President Reagan raised the national debt by a colossal 189%.
President Clinton spent 13,145 trillion dollars during his 8 years in office. But, he raised 13,208 trillion in taxes. That means during his stewardship he finished his term with a surplus of about 63 billion dollars. What are Conservatives saying when they worship “the great borrower” over the “great balancer.”
Bill Hayes
Saugerties
The truth about the parking lot
Recently, it has been brought to my attention, in an apparent attempt to discredit town highway superintendent Doug Myer, false accusations, misrepresentation of fact and illusory projections in reference to the installation of additional parking, specifically, lands immediately adjacent to the Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex, of Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS).
Mr. Myer and the Town Highway Department are working under my authority, which was granted to me as set forth via motion, unanimously approved, by the Town Board. Further, said motion, along with others related were reviewed and approved by legal counsel.
This is very unfair to Mr. Myer and I feel the necessity to address and present the facts, as follows:
1. After nearly running out of parking, during the Garlic Festival, the past few years and coming extremely close this past year, on both Saturday and Sunday, a cost proposal was generated to the Kiwanis Club for installation of additional parking on lands of the Town of Saugerties and immediately adjacent lands of HITS.
2. The Kiwanis Club accepted the proposal and committed a sizeable amount of funds for said installs, whereby, there would be no direct monetary outlay of town (taxpayer) funds.
3. Likewise, with the Owner of HITS, who further endorsed, as he has done so many times over the years with allowing use of his lands for parking, along with use of his equipment, ticket booths, event items, etc. Additionally, on several occasions his staff and/or sub contracted staff, worked with my staff, for installs at the Complex (Fick Field # 5, Lorenz # 9, others). All without any charges, or rental fees for use of his property, equipment, etc., without exception, on the many times we have utilized.
4. Legal counsel reviewed the proposal/plan and upon approval, further reviewed and approved a board motion, which was presented to the Town Board and unanimously approved.
5. The specific areas for initial install were identified and prioritized, taking into account related components already in place (base, etc.) to gain the maximum amount of parking, along with the most efficient utilization of funds from the sizeable Kiwanis monetary contribution. As additional materials, non-taxpayer funds, etc. become available, further parking will be installed.
The evolution of the Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex over the past 30-plus years has taken place with partnerships between both public and private entities / organizations working in a spirited and cooperative manner for the benefit of the entire community and, more importantly, with the least possible burden to our residents.
The same is true in this scenario. The additional parking will accommodate and free up parking from more “lucrative” parking areas, which attendees will have the option to purchase as preferred parking, generating a new revenue stream to offset expenses.
Further, this is no different than the agreement in place we have with HITS in regards to the trail system. Over five years ago a grant was submitted to NYSOPRHP for the continuance of development with our Trail System. We have come very close, however, have come up just short each year.
The major emphasis of the grant, along with weighing heavily with basis for award, is linkages with both public and private entities, with HITS being the “private” and Seamon Park and the High School being the “public” linkages to us (the town). The aforementioned new parking area will additionally accommodate those wishing to utilize our trails system, since it is one of the ingress / egress points, as previously identified in our state grant submittal.
As with other grants (i.e. Skate Park, Cantine lighting), I strongly believe it will only be a matter of time before the trails grant is approved. Per stipulations of the state grant, the awardee (town) will be responsible for installing or upgrading existing trails, along with maintenance of.
Will patrons of HITS use the trails? Of course. Will HITS use the parking lot? I would certainly think so, as the benefits of both should be enjoyed (shared) by as many as possible, along with quality of life enhancements.
Regardless, the nature of motive(s), it is most unfortunate resorting to false accusations and misrepresentation of fact in attempt to drive those motives and/or aid in the amplification of same, which may be illusorily and/or have no validity is unfair, wrong and very unprofessional. Thank you!
Greg Chorvas
Suptintendent, Parks & Buildings
Join the family! 
