Allen reflects on campaign ups and downs
I want to thank the voters who came out and supported me on election day. Through campaigning, I was able to touch base with the constituents whom I represent. This gave me an opportunity to address some of the problems that the residents of District 2 had. Through this dialogue with residents, I was able to have had Teetsel St. re-paved within 24 hours after calling it to the attention of Mayor Murphy. Through my direct contact with Highway Superintendent Doug Myer, I was able to have had numerous potholes repaired on Village Dr., Rt. 9W, Blue Hills Dr., Edith Ave. and Stephens Ct. Most recently, I was able to have a dangerous railroad crossing repaired on Doyle’s Ln. off of Kings Highway after CSX had left the private crossing in a very unsafe state since late May. If I had stayed home and not campaigned so extensively, I would have never heard about these issues, witnessed them firsthand for myself and able to have had them repaired.
During my campaign, I was fortunate to have had the support of the Saugerties Democratic Committee, Chairman Lanny Walter and former Chairman Mike Harkavy. Having untruthful allegations leveled against oneself and untruthful (slanderous) posts, rumors and gossip spread about oneself across the internet and through the mail was not a pleasant experience, but I think that it demonstrates a pattern of behaviors inherent within my opponent, their minions and my accusers. Deceptive behavior is blatantly obvious to many but salacious to others which unfortunately lends credence to false allegations and gossip in the perceptions of some. Such deceptive behaviors are traceable and those who engage in such deceptive behaviors can turn out to have a chronic past history of filing false reports and allegations against innocent individuals. And while I cannot get back the 40-plus campaign signs that were stolen or retrieve the campaign sign that was thrown over the fence above the Hudson River, I can clear my name and call attention to these patterns of past deceptive behaviors by my accusers. This nasty campaign against me has left a bad taste in the mouths of many Saugerties voters and perhaps one encounter exemplifies how this election ended. While I was speaking to a voter on Peach Ln., my opponent drove by and yelled out to me “go home Chris.” This comment only reaffirmed this constituent’s opinion of my opponent, and no, “I will not go home,” as I will continue to speak with constituents and serve their needs. And the witness who saw one of my campaign signs being tampered with will probably not file a complaint with the police, because it just seems so petty in the grand scheme of things.
Chris Allen
Ulster County Legislature
Proud of Democratic effort
Before last Tuesday’s election passes into history, I want to tell you how proud I am of the work of all our Democrats in helping all of our candidates win their contests. I believe that the effort we made in distributing literature, making phone calls, financially assisting candidates, and just talking to our neighbors and friends was the stuff that enhanced the candidates’ efforts on their own behalf. While we can’t say how much our efforts added to the candidates’ overall election results, I believe it was significant. I should point out that in this election the Democrats voted in considerably larger numbers than Republicans. The highest number of Democratic line votes was 1,464, Doug Myer, and the largest Republican line vote was 1,026, also Doug Myer.
This was a particularly nasty campaign against Chris Allen with the Minew group, presumably, circulating a totally unfounded attack and the Conservative Party chairman writing a letter containing innuendos about Chris’s personal life. I feel that the vote for Chris, 59 percent, reflects extremely well on the judgment and fairness of Democrats and the people of Saugerties in rejecting such offensive campaigning.
In this election cycle I had advice, suggestions and help from committee members and former members which were very much appreciated and which were incorporated into our efforts. The committee will be asking for more help in elections to come, and hope we can build a stronger committee to re-win the White House and Congress in 2016. Please contact me if you wish to join us, lanny@lannywalter.com
Lanny Walter
Chair, Saugerties Democratic Committee
Thornton thanks
I would like to express my appreciation to the entire Saugerties community for their continued support on election day. Whether you signed a petition last summer, placed a lawn sign on your property, walked door-to-door, or attended a fund raiser, your effort to get out and vote on Nov. 3 made it possible for “Team Saugerties” to be successful. Your vote of confidence and faith in our ability to do what’s best for Saugerties is greatly appreciated. It is an honor to work for you and represent you!
Leeanne Thornton
Town Board
Myer thanks
As the 2015 election season draws to a close, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the residents and voters in the town of Saugerties that support me and my efforts. It is truly an honor to have gained the respect, trust and support of all four major parties within the town, thus affording me the privilege of running unopposed. This honor was not, nor will it ever be, taken for granted.
In closing I would like to offer that, “Together we have made a difference and will continue to do so in the future. “ Once again, thank you and God bless.
Doug Myer
Town highway superintendent
Pipeline still a bad idea
Proponents of the proposed Pilgrim Pipelines, which would move Bakken crude oil down the New York Thruway right-of-way from Albany to Linden, NJ and refined oil products back up, are continuing their efforts despite significant resistance against them by the communities that would be affected. Responding to the very real possibility of damage to aquifers and fragile eco-systems from pipeline ruptures, (pipeline leaks in the U.S. have been reported over the last ten years at an average rate of one every other day, often oozing enormous amounts before they are discovered), virtually all communities adjacent to the proposed route of the pipeline in New Jersey have passed resolutions opposing its construction. These have been joined in New York by 18 towns and villages including Ulster County, Rosendale and this year by the Saugerties Town Board’s expression of no confidence in Pilgrim Pipeline.
The proposed Pilgrim Pipeline would not reduce the number of so-called “bomb trains” of oil going through Saugerties and would, in fact, cause a doubling or tripling of oil moving by train from North Dakota to Albany. We need to ask ourselves, “Why should we assume this risk?” According to a Stanford University analysis, our known oil reserves far exceed what we can responsibly use. Bakken crude is not only difficult to extract (fracking is employed), but is an especially volatile and toxic form of crude oil. Pilgrim Pipeline poses a risk to our communities that we simply should not allow.
While thankful for the support shown so far in resisting this effort, we cannot let it cause us to drop our guard. In addition to support from other communities in New York, letters and phone calls by individual citizens to the governor’s office and state legislators are needed until Albany gets the message that development of the Pilgrim Pipelines is a bad idea.
William Barr
Saugerties
Animal Shelter fundraiser success
The annual fall yard sale and bake sale held to benefit the Town of Saugerties Animal Shelter was a huge success this year. I would like to give a special thank you to Jeanne and Bruce Fellows and Carol Stahl for organizing this event. They work tirelessly throughout the year to help make it happen. I would also like to thank Betty Decker and the ladies from the Centerville Methodist Church for their delicious baked goods and manning the bake table. A special thanks to Audrey Gardner, Diane Snow and Lisa and Chris Wasserbach for their tremendous help throughout the day .
Thank you Melissa, Adam and Mary, David and Ashley, Mike and Diane, Anne and several other shelter volunteers that came to walk dogs, socialize cats, help potential adopters, and answer questions. A big thanks to the Blue Kats and the Saugerties High School Key Club who helped during the hardest part of the day, which is set up and breakdown. I am also very grateful for the shelter staff Aynslie and Ashley and the Transfer Station staff, Burt, Joe, Kelly and Mark, for their support throughout the day. There were so many more volunteers that helped that I could not possibly mention them all and apologize if I missed you as you all were greatly appreciated. We have some very kind and generous people who live in our community as we could not have this event without their generous donations of time or their treasures.
Don’t forget our upcoming Christmas sale. Visit our Christmas boutique to purchase a few additions to your collection. We are accepting donations at the Animal Shelter Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Call 679-0339 if you have any questions.
Elly Monfett
Shelter manager
Volunteer for Family’s Thanksgiving dinner
There is no better way to give thanks for 40 years of Family of Woodstock’s Thanksgiving dinners than to celebrate at the newly renovated Mescal Hornbeck Community Center! With support from local businesses and individuals, Family provides a spectacular feast each Thanksgiving, free of charge. We hope you will consider joining us this year, on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 1–4 p.m. at the Community Center on Rock City Rd. in Woodstock.
As usual, we expect well over 400 people to attend and, with your help, Family will once again be prepared with turkeys and fixins’ from A to Z. Your mother’s special stuffing, your secret recipe pecan pie or that veggie dish your friends love will be the perfect additions to Family’s table. We welcome all of your favorites, made with love and delivered (preferably warm) on Thanksgiving morning.
We can’t offer this wonderful feast without your help. Whether you come in the morning to help set up, work from noon to 4 p.m. to serve, stay after 4 p.m. to clean up or even drive around on Wednesday to help with restaurant pickups, you are an important part of this amazing celebration of gratitude.
Family’s Thanksgiving Dinner is open to all and we hope you will join us this year. Bring your dish and stay awhile. Serve for a bit and then sit with neighbors and strangers. It’s what Thanksgiving is all about.
Call 679-2485 to sign up to help. Tell us what you plan to cook or purchase. Tell us that you’d like to volunteer. Help us create a dinner that is true to its traditions. It is the best of Woodstock.
Susan Goldman
Family of Woodstock
Join the family! 
