Law regarding political signs
Last week I was notified by the town of saugerties building inspector that Town Councilwoman Leeanne Thornton called him to let him know that some of the candidates still have lawn signs out and that the zoning law says they must not exceed 30 days. I advised the building inspector that I would make sure that any signs that had been missed would be removed.
However, I had a question regarding signs that were on private property. It is my understanding that if a sign was erected on private property, it would not be in violation of the zoning law as such law only applies to those on public property (which is what I had been told during last election). I sent Town Councilman Jim Bruno, liaison to the Building Department, an e-mail asking him if he could get a legal opinion from the town attorney. While we certainly want to comply with all laws, we do not want our rights violated either.
Councilman Bruno forwarded me the response by attorney George Redder. He wrote:
“I had an opportunity to review your email of September 17th, as well as that of George Heidcamp dated September 18th concerning a clarification of the Town Zoning Law concerning political signs…
“It is my understanding that, as long as the political/social messages, banners, and similar signs, are not placed on town owned property, they can be on private property for more than 30 days…
“Simply stated, a private citizen who puts out a political/social sign on their own private property, and is not associated with a municipal, charitable, political or non-profit organization, can leave a sign on their property as long as it does not violate the other provisions of the signage law as set forth in the Zoning Code.”
George Heidcamp
Chairman, Saugerties Conservative Party
Feel the Bern
If you’re a registered Working Families or Green Party member, or a registered voter who is not affiliated with a party, and you support Bernie Sanders for president, you must register as a Democrat in New York by Oct. 9 this year in order to vote for Sanders in the Democratic primary next spring. If you don’t, your voice won’t be heard in the presidential primary.
Glenn Kreisberg
Woodstock
Voter information
The last day to enroll in a political party or to change your party enrollment is Oct. 9. To vote in the presidential primary in 2016 you need to be enrolled in the party of your choice. You cannot enroll in a party of your choice after Oct. 9, 2015 and have it count for the 2016 Primary..
Oct. 9, 2015 is also the last day to register to vote this year on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2015. You ought to enroll or register in person by Oct. 9 at the BOE at 284 Wall St., Kingston, 12401. You can send in the registration/enrollment form by mail, but it must be postmarked by the US Post Office by the ninth of October. You are encouraged to play it safe, and hand deliver the form to the BOE by the 9th of October.
On Nov. 3, 2015, all poll sites in Ulster County will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Don’t forget to vote; it is what American citizens have won the right to do.
Lanny E. Walter
Chair, Saugerties Democratic Committee
Bigoted letter
Once again, well known local anti-Semitic bigot Fred Nagel is on a Jew hunt (Letters to the editor, Sept. 17). And what does he discover? A hidden organization called the Israel Lobby. Did anyone know it was in hiding?
The rest is his usual ugly smears: Israel is a “warlike,” “apartheid,” “genocidal,” ”pariah” state isolated by the community of decent nations such as Russia and China and all the countries of the Third World. The Israel Lobby only follows the dictates of right-wing Israelis and controls the U. S. Congress and our Senator Schumer is one of theirs.
Those sneaky, all-powerful Jews. WOW! Nazi propaganda minister Goebbels would have been proud of you. Hiding your bigotry behind slanderous criticism of Israel. Way to go Nagel!
Susan Puretz
Saugerties
Gala auction success
On Saturday Sept. 19th the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual street art gala and auction. This year’s theme was Cruisin’ Around Saugerties. The pedal cars that were shown all summer long in the village were auctioned. The proceeds will be divided between the participating artists, the Chamber of Commerce, and veterans’ organizations. Money was also raised to help fund the rebuilding of Small World Playground. Before the gala and auction there was a well attended car show. The chamber wishes to thank the following for helping making the event the great success it was:
The Chamber of Commerce for doing a great job.
Bob Siracusano and the staff at Sawyer Motors for running a great car show.
The staff at Town & Country Liquors for their months of behind the scenes assistance.
The staff at Sawyer Savings Bank who stepped in when Jenn and Erica were not able to participate; they worked the desk from the beginning of the evening until the end.
Sue Sachar for the beautiful flowers on every table.
Gerard and Erica Price from SPAF for the use of SPAF…what a great facility.
Alex and Barbara Kveton for donating a beautiful metal sculpture that was auctioned. Once again, the Kveton’s have been incredibly generous.
John Livermore of Stone Pony/Smokin’ Pony for donating the music of Doug Marcus.
Doug Marcus for his beautiful music.
The Saugerties Department of Public Works for all their work displaying the cars and moving them.
Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and Mayor Bill Murphy for all their assistance and support.
Beth Murphy, Miriam Adams, Jamie Fine, and all the other volunteers (there were many, too many to mention) for their enthusiastic assistance.
Bob Siracusano and Scout Thornton for their lively fundraising auctioneering.
Most especially thanks to all the artists and sponsors who participated in this year’s event.
Hope to see you all next year when we do it again.
Mark Smith, chair
Peggy Schwartz, vice-chair
Saugerties Chamber of Commerce
Support Gibson’s climate change resolution
This is a shout-out to our house representative, Congressman Chris Gibson. He is presenting to the U.S. Congress a climate change resolution which takes a foresighted stand to limit environmental changes that threaten our children and grandchildren.
Gibson, an avowed conservative, has stated that part of being conservative is judicious conservation of resources, both manmade and natural. He recognizes that climate change is causing tremendous damage to our homes, neighborhoods, businesses and towns, with consequential costs that threaten to bankrupt our society. He acknowledges that human activity has played a part in creating these climatic shifts, and understands that our efforts can alter this trend, leading to economic growth for New York State and the United States. His resolution states that “efforts to mitigate the risks of, prepare for, or otherwise address our changing climate and its effects should not constrain the United States economy.” A fee on carbon would benefit the economy and could add 2.8 million jobs over 20 years.
The Gibson resolution offers Congress the opportunity to hit the “reset” button on climate change and engage in a better informed and more productive conversation. Mr. Gibson’s efforts to create this bipartisan solution should be applauded.
Kelly Taylor
Olivebridge
Hope from the pope
As time goes on and the candidates for the president of the United States continue to deny what almost all scientists now accept as the truth, along comes the pope, who hopefully may bring some sanity and actual “thinking” to our candidates for president.
He has already made it clear that he accepts the facts of climate change. To quote him in translated English he said:
“Economic powers continue to justify the current global system where priority tends to be given to speculation and the pursuit of financial gain. As a result whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenseless before the interests of the deified market, which become the only rule.”
So what will the Republicans do about the pope’s statements? So far, they are doing their best to have him avoid the subject. To put it simply, they have too much money invested in the companies that profit by polluting our air and water, and other products that are destroying our planet.
The pope is doing what he is supposed to do. He’s just trying to save life on earth and to keep it as peaceful as possible.
Tom Jacobs of Pacific Standard did a study on who believes in Climate Change around the world. He examined the platforms of the top conservative parties in each of nine countries — the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Canada and New Zealand — and found that the Republican Party here was the only one to deny the existence of human-caused climate change.
I am going to bring my optimism up to the forefront, due to the oncoming visit of the pope and ask only that everyone that reads this pay attention to the candidates reactions to the now visible subject of climate change.
Jill Paperno
Glenford
Join the family! 
