Gun resolution needed more review
At the March 6 Saugerties Town Board meeting Supervisor Myers proposed a well drafted resolution opposing certain provisions and the procedure of enactment of the ny safe Act. Since the draft became available only a short time before the meeting it was rightfully decided that a vote would be postponed until the next board meeting to enable public review of the resolution. An hour before the March 20 Town Board meeting an amended, competing resolution was presented by the Democratic majority. This resolution eviscerated much of the content of Supervisor Myers draft resolution and, frankly, speaks very little to protecting the rights of the law abiding gun owners who packed the Senior Center on the evening of the vote.
The amended resolution in fact contains much doublespeak. For instance, “WHEREAS, there is a need for tougher gun laws that respect the right of law-abiding citizens’ to possess weapons for hunting, sport and self-protection;” is a thinly disguised oxymoron. Being that New York was already one of the most heavily restricted states prior to passage of the SAFE Act, it is highly unlikely that the legislature can enact “tougher gun laws” that show any measure of respect for right of law-abiding citizens to possess weapons. Quite simply, the resolution is a farce and an insult to many town residents who turned out to voice their support.
Perhaps most disturbing is that the amended resolution does not address the Governor’s unwarranted use of a “message of necessity” to circumvent public analysis and comment in passage of his misguided and much maligned legislation. This has by far created the largest public outcry against the safe Act, not only from gun owners, but also those who support the principals of the democratic process. Yet, the Town Board Democratic majority essentially used the same tactic to accomplish passage of their watered-down resolution. While Supervisor Myers permitted time for public review and comment on her proposed resolution, there was no such reciprocal courtesy from council members Costello, Thornton or Leighton. They forced a vote on their proposal with no allowance for public review, much to the dismay of numerous members of the audience.
I applaud the unsuccessful efforts of Supervisor Myers and Councilman Bruno to delay a vote and allow time for public comment on the amended resolution. The authoritarian, heavy-handed tactics of the Democrats signal a need for new membership on the Town Board. We can begin by replacing Councilman Leighton in November.
Bill Schirmer
Saugerties
Gun law amendment rushed
The Town Board meeting of March 20 was an example of partisan party politics at its worst.
I found out that we have a “Little Andy Cuomo” (aka Fred Costello) right here in Saugerties. He pushed through the amended safe Act resolution as a measure of necessity, insisting a vote be taken without any public comments on the amended resolution. Why weren’t the 150 people in attendance given the opportunity to digest and comment on this amendment which was only made available 30 minutes before the board meeting? The Democrats insisted on March 6 that the original resolution be tabled for further review, and it was. Ms. Myers and Mr. Bruno asked for the same consideration last night and were denied.
As one of the speakers stated, the people that came out to support the original resolution represent a large voting bloc in the town. We will certainly remember March 20 in future elections. By my count, there was at least a 2:1 majority of those attending that supported the original resolution drafted by Ms. Myers. When was the last time you saw that many people show up at a town board meeting to voice their opinions? How can you, Ms. Thornton, Mr. Costello, and Mr. Leighton, ignore the voice of the people you were elected to represent?
Gregory Kleen
Saugerties
Militia-Minded lawmaking
What a senseless, wasteful political exercise in futility. Saugerties Town Board members, [especially Town Supervisor Kelly Myers] should remember their responsibility to Saugerties taxpayers that are living from paycheck to paycheck. Wasting taxpayer money on a resolution opposing the state’s new gun-control law is an another example of what’s wrong with Saugerties politics. Get your priorities back in order, and stop making the Hudson Valley blush with embarrassment.
David Radovanovic
Saugerties
Fight stealth casino plan
After finishing the budget, the state Legislature will at some point turn its attention to the second passage of the casino expansion amendment to the state constitution. If it passes, it goes to the voters, probably in November. No public hearings have been held. Nobody knows where the up to seven new casinos will be located or who will choose the sites. The politics and the money behind this move are opaque. Virtually no attention has been paid to assessing, preventing, and mitigating the consequences of many thousands of new problem gamblers.
Our pro-casino elected officials talk in sound-bites about “economic development” and “new jobs” with a complete disregard for non-industry studies which belie those claims. Getting state revenues by going into business with casinos is short-sighted and unethical. Some maybe will dismiss addicted gamblers as suckers who get what they deserve, but what about the spouses, children, friends, employers who are victimized and taxpayers who have to pick up the pieces?
At the present time polls show public opinion running against the amendment. The big advertising push for it has not yet mobilized. We can defeat this regressive measure if people say: No New Yorker is expendable. Don’t traffic in human misery.
Arnie Lieber m.d.
Saugerties
Oppose utility takeover
On March 19 the Ulster County Legislature passed Resolution No. 82 – In Opposition to the Proposed Merger of Central Hudson (ch) and Fortis Inc. The New York State Public Service Commission (psc) is considering this takeover of our local utility by a multinational corporation without much input from us the ratepayers who will be bearing much of the cost of this agreement or from our elected officials. As soon as our County Legislature got wind of this they took action and passed Resolution No. 82.
Meanwhile the psc extended the date for the public to send in comments to May 1st. To begin to understand what is at stake read Resolution No. 82 found at www.co.ulster.ny.us/resolutions/82-13.pdf .
Briefly, three of the many reasons why this potential merger does not add up to a “net public benefit” are (1) as a Canadian corporation and member of the National American Free Trade Agreement (nafta), Fortis could override the psc’s regulatory jurisdiction and future state requirements to both modernize and diversify energy, (2) the community and consumer incentive benefit package is insufficient, not concrete and subject to unforeseeable circumstances and (3) the Fortis website stresses their commitment to shale gas and other extractive fossil fuels but not to developing alternative energy, none of which leads to a sustainable future.
The PSC must hear from us. Comments can be sent to Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 3, Albany, New York 12223-1350 or emailed to Hon. Jeffrey C. Cohen, acting secretary, at secretary@dps.ny.gov . All comments must refer to “Case 12-M-0192 – Central Hudson/Fortis Merger.” Comments may also be called in to the commission’s 24/7 Opinion Line at 800-335-2120. Please take action now for a green energy economy.
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
For Benny
To remember is sometimes all we have to hold on to. When someone we care about passes we realize it too late and we are at first stunned then mournful then turn to remembering. We remember all the good of a man who made all those around him lighter with laughter. Although a good cynical comment now and again was Benny’s stock in trade it always seemed to arrive at the right time. He was not just one dimensional….he was many more dimensions than that and clever, never condescending, sometimes cynical yes….but his sense of humor was most quick-witted and not unserious. And it is some comfort to know that Dick’s laughter filled his days, at least in front of company, until the end came on March 5, 2013.
A good man who will not be forgotten….his keen senses and his loyalty touched thousands and certainly many more than he or anyone could have known or imagined…..so it is fitting that he was to be remembered by the words of Bob Dylan, chosen by Barbara and Patrick, printed on the card for the services at Seamon Wilsey’s on March 8th…… “may you always be courageous stand upright and be strong and may you stay forever young”…….. Richard “Dick, aka, Benny” Benjamin certainly left us with that lesson. No one could argue these words as a fitting tribute to Benny….. There’ll be an empty bunk at Moose Pond, one less paddler on the Hudson, an awful pain on Willow Lane and the Nap Brothers will have to attempt to carry on without him…….
Respectfully,
Paul Andreassen
Malden-on-Hudson
Join the family! 
