Helsmoortel responds
M. Auer, I see that you are back to signing letters that [Joe] Roberti Jr. writes for you. Let me answer your/his accusations. My office was not cleaned out; it was cleaned but not cleaned out. “With every file removed” is an absolute lie. There is not one file missing from that office, none. There are five or six file cabinets in the secretary’s office that contain all paper files related to the supervisor’s office. My computer was used for communication, something that I was very good at, keeping every board member informed of everything that left my office, everything. Department heads also knew what was going on. All communication that left my office was also copied to my secretary for necessary filing. I did not file on my computer, my secretary kept all town files, who better for when and if there are changes etc.?
As far as a face to face transition, no. Some people think politics is a game and anything goes. I did not and will not play the game where lying is accepted. When lies are used to attack me I will not cooperate on anything. The welfare and election cost situation was common knowledge. We were protesting unfunded mandates from the county and state, it was known. The use of fund balance to keep taxes level for three years was common knowledge, it was in black and white in the public budget. Amazing, the demand for a $15,000 raise two years in a row by the current supervisor goes unmentioned. With proper fiscal management the fund balance can be built back up very quickly. There was practically no long-term debt when I left office other than voter approved special districts such as water, sewer, and library. The town owed very little money, something I am very proud of. As far as not knowing about storm damage, a committee consisting of the highway department, building department, building and grounds department, and town engineer was in full control of storm damage to properly assist the new supervisor.
It is not ego or vanity as reasons for me to want to return. I left good projects still in need of completion with good leadership and a public and town board that needs to know what is going on. My track record on economic development is proven and I want to get back to real economic development. It is not an “I” town board, it is a “We” town board and it has to return to that. As far as my time in Maine, you hear wrong, and beyond that it is none of your business. Someone asked junior once how he can write all these lies about people. His answer was, “some of it sticks to the wall.” Nice philosophy.
Greg Helsmoortel
Saugerties
The writer is a candidate for town supervisor
Democrats fail to learn lesson
Two years ago, old supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and Bruce Leighton tried to ram through the Dickinson’s Keep housing project despite overwhelming opposition from Glasco and Barclay Heights residents and the negative financial impacts to all Saugerties taxpayers. Thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Kelly Myers and Deputy Supervisor Jimmy Bruno, the proposal was defeated.
Unfortunately, town Democrats failed to learn their lesson. Saugerties Democrats required all Town Board candidates seeking their endorsement to pledge unconditional support for future projects like Dickinson’s Keep or they wouldn’t receive party backing.
The leaders of the Saugerties Democrats claim they are open and inclusive, but this is a myth. They only back candidates who support their far-left, out of the mainstream agenda–even if it means throwing fellow Democrats under the bus. Several years ago, Saugerties Democrats held a kangaroo court to kick out party members who didn’t share their extreme liberal views. I find it unbelievable that with over 3,600 registered voters, Saugerties Democrats can’t find even one party member to nominate for Town Board!
Saugerties Democrats will do anything and everything to distract voters from their candidate’s terrible records. After a decade of Democratic Party rule, town finances are in shambles. Saugerties needs new leaders like Republican Town Council nominee Bill Schirmer, a small business owner with a strong record of community service who is not beholden to the far-left leaders of the Saugerties Democratic Party.
I ask Saugerties voters—Can we trust the failed leaders of the past to lead us out of the mess they created? Can we trust the same people who didn’t listen to us in the past to start listening now? The answer is obvious, as is the need for a Republican Town Board majority for Saugerties!
Joe Roberti, Jr.
Chair, Saugerties GOP
Inspirational garden
I normally do not write letters to newspapers, but I was so impressed by the incredible beauty of a garden tour that I had the honor to attend, I was inspired to share this information. Maraleen Manos-Jones had a tour of her incredible butterfly gardens, that made me feel that I had walked right into a fantasy world. Her many different types of flowers attract many different butterflies, honey bees and humming birds. There were so many humming birds there that I felt like I was at a humming bird race track. Maraleen created a medicine wheel with the four directions healing stones that she made out of shells, jewel, stars on a concrete base, with flowers in the center.
Maraleen also made a labyrinth that we walked on that was created to help us focus our intentions to create what we desire in our lives. We then went into her art studio (built by her husband, Steve) and she gave an animated talk on how she became the Butterfly Woman, then enlightened us about facts about butterflies that was so informative, I learned so much!
Luckily if you missed this one, she is giving three more tours; July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25, two tours per day. From 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 6 p.m. If you would like to take this magical, mystical garden tour, I suggest you call up and make reservations, because they fill up fast. You can contact her at 845-657-8073 or e-mail her mmjbutterfly@hvc.rr.com Do yourself a favor and go, you will be inspired, I was.
Thank you for letting me share
Moira Joyce
Saugerties
Cuomo loads the dice
The upcoming referendum on amending the NYS constitution and allow “up to seven casinos as prescribed by the legislature” has been subverted by Gov. Cuomo, turned into an ultimatum to all who oppose the amendment’s expansion of predatory gambling. Meant to paralyze opposition to the amendment from all quarters, Section 32 of the Upstate New York Gaming Economic Development Act of 2013, would, if the amendment lost, impose an unspecified number of new video lottery terminals (VLTs) on southeastern “upstate.”
Thus, a successful fight against the amendment would be punished by the imposition of a gambling system probably no better for New York than “up to seven” casinos. The governor’s “heads I win, tails you lose” tactics have no place in good government. The referendum is about amending the constitution to open the door to casino gambling. The amendment promoters have subverted due process to make voters “choose” between two modes of expanded predatory gambling.
Arnie Lieber
Saugerties
Join the family! 
