Something to be proud of
I recently completed a season coaching softball at the girls’ minors level and would like to take a moment to comment on the treasure we have in Saugerties baseball and softball. The league is run by hardworking volunteers, often parents and professionals who dedicate major amounts of time so that the children of our town can play the game on our fantastic ball fields. Kudos to the Saugerties Little League, the grounds crews and administrators of Cantine Field, the sponsors, the coaches, the umpires and the children who together make 10 weeks or so each spring special. Well done!
The play isn’t always perfect and, yes, the occasional coach or parent goes overboard (sorry), but I’ve coached three children through many levels and I’m always proud of our town at this time of year. And really proud of my team. Go Wildcats!
Henry Mangione
Saugerties
Ugliness at Cantine Field not representative
Unfortunately, we have experienced two ugly incidents at the Cantine Veterans Sports Complex, both witnessed by children. One, during a girls’ youth softball tournament game, saw two mothers fighting, biting and pulling hair. The second, involved a cowardly physical assault on a Saugerties Athletic Association (SAA) umpire. The SAA Board of Directors has banned the individual for life from all SAA sports and has sent a very strong and clear message to others who were involved, along with notifications to all teams and players this type of behavior will not be allowed, nor will it be tolerated.
In both cases, there were people from out of town who saw the ugliness of only a very few individuals. In no way does this represent Saugerties, nor the Sports Complex.
I have received several dozens of communications (email, call, in-person, etc.) and I have assured, as I will reiterate here, incidents such as these, will not be tolerated in the complex and appropriate measures shall be taken, similar to those that have been taken in these two cases, such as the right to enjoy the privilege of the complex, along with revoking said privilege to enter, remain upon or use the complex and other town-owned parks.
The Sports Complex has gained a good reputation and is well known for the family-oriented sports programs and activities, along with the many related amenities and services we offer for everyone, from the very young to our seniors. Recreation, relaxation, having fun and enjoying the great outdoors, along with quality of life enhancements, is what it is all about and what we are all about, not about the two ugly incidents we have experienced.
Plain and simple, there was no reason whatsoever for either of these occurrences. What kind of permanent scar will be entrenched in the minds of those young children? What permanent eye and/or head damage will the umpire brutally assaulted incur for the giving of his services in umpiring a recreational game of softball?
Additionally, what kind of message does this project to a new business that opened in Saugerties and shelled out upwards of $1,000? What did they get from becoming active in the community and sponsoring a local team? Having their business, their name, their reputation dragged through such a horrible scenario. Does a new, or any business, deserve this? Those involved should be ashamed of themselves and owe the entire community their apologies.
I am sorry and extend my apologies to all who witnessed, the children and to the umpire, along with the sponsoring business. I give my reassurances: modifications and additional measures have been put in place to combat any such ugly reoccurrence. I reiterate, in no way does this represent the Saugerties community, nor the Sports Complex. Thank you.
Greg Chorvas
Parks and buildings superintendent
Pothole patrol, SAFE Act vote explanation
I want to thank the town of Saugerties highway superintendent, Doug Myer, and the town Highway Department in addition to village of Saugerties mayor, William Murphy, and the village Department of Public Works for quickly repairing multiple potholes in the roads within several residential neighborhoods in Barclay Heights and the village after I brought it to the attention of Superintendent Myer and Mayor Murphy. Recently, while I was talking to residents of Barclay Heights, several of them brought up the specific areas that needed repair to which I responded by immediately phoning Superintendent Myer and leaving him a message. When I saw Superintendant Myer in person the next day, I showed him some photos of the pot holes, and we had a discussion about the specific locations of the damaged roads. Less than two days after seeing Superintendant Myer in person, I was in the same neighborhood again, and I immediately noticed how every single pothole was repaired quite thoroughly. The residents were quite happy, and they thanked me for communicating their concerns to Doug Myer. Afterwards, I immediately thanked Mr. Myer, and I posted the story on my Facebook pages. After I did this, I received some messages from several friends of mine who complained about several roads in the village of Saugerties. The next day, I phoned village of Saugerties Mayor William Murphy, and the following day, I received a message from my friend informing me that his road had all of its potholes repaired. This is an example of how public officials within different levels of government can work together towards improving problems that plague society.
In elaboration of my non-vote for Resolution 253 in the Ulster County Legislature which called for the legislature to be in support of NY State Senate Bill 511 that would amend around 85 percent of the SAFE Ammunition Firearms Enforcement Act, I will relay how Resolution 253 was the most poorly written resolution that I have witnessed in my 18 months as a legislator. In fact, Resolution 253 is so poorly written, it makes the Ulster County Legislature look like a bunch of amateurs for allowing a resolution of this ilk to be sent up to Albany. Because the SAFE Gun Act itself had well over 200 spelling and typo errors in it when it was passed in the New York State Legislature, it is counter-intuitive to have sent something which was also flawed to recommend that the SAFE Gun Act be amended. When I saw the obsessive redundancies within the 27 whereas paragraphs, I criticized the sponsor’s resolution to him in private, and I offered up suggestions for 8-10 whereas paragraphs to be stricken. After the sponsor rebuffed my suggestions, I decided that I did not want my name or my constituents associated with something that makes the legislature look like they do not know how to write memorializing resolutions. If the sponsor had removed those 8-10 whereas paragraphs as I suggested, I would have voted yes on 253.
Chris Allen
Ulster County legislator
You’ve got to be taught
Another public slaughter. My heart goes out to those senselessly killed in South Carolina.
Words from the song “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” by Rogers and Hammerstein from the show South Pacific come to mind.
You’ve got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You’ve got to be taught
From year to year,
It’s got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade,
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
How many families let kids watch murder, mayhem, rapes, sexually explicit things on TV? How many Dads speak of guns, killing, hate, to their sons?
TV reeks of violence. Is it not programming our children for hate and violence? People need to begin to think what is being put into kids’ heads. Little minds are like gardens. Be careful what is planted, tended, watered to get good results.
I am a senior. Even I cannot watch 85 percent that is shown. Horrid. How do kids process it? Many on meds now. Is it any wonder? Children have no childhood anymore. Unbelievably sad.
Joyce Benedict
Hyde Park
Join the family! 
