Inching toward the money
This is an answer to a question raised by Hugh Reynolds’ article last week about the sales tax receipts hotly coveted by the county.
Mr. Reynolds noted that the townships, in their pledge of solidarity with the City of Kingston’s position to maintain the “status quo,” did not employ the negotiating tactic of “bargaining up.” By this he begs the question why didn’t the townships demand more than the 3 percent share of sales tax revenue they currently receive with the aim of “settling” for no less than 3 percent after the powder is spent and blood has dried on the negotiating floor.
The answer is simple. In the 15 or so years since the agreement to apportion sales tax 85.5 percent county, 11.5 percent Kingston and 3 percent townships there has not been one complaint, not from the county, city or townships. Not one. All parties were satisfied.
Satisfied, that is, until the county started inching its fingers toward the revenue source. For the townships to suddenly demand more would be as transparent as the county’s sudden naked attempt to see that they get less. It would make us look, well, just as ridiculous.
By the way, kudos to Woodstock’s county Legislator Jonathan Heppner for his quick take on this issue, and to Kingston’s Mayor Steve Noble for his successful overture to the towns.
Jeremy Wilber, town supervisor, Woodstock
A gigantic flush
The Super Bowl with all its glitz, glamour, and grit is a profoundly disturbing display of America the Ugly, not America the Beautiful. The Super Bowl is a wildly enthusiastic embrace of militarism, violence, racism, sexism and greed.
Fighter jets screaming above; flags waving; the chorus in dress military garb, so crisp and clean and colorful; the honor guard in full regalia including guns; spontaneous cheers for the troops in Afghanistan. Could wars, weaponry, and the military be more exciting and attractive?
Unceasing violence on the field is directed by the coach (commander-in-chief) barking orders at players (troops). On the field, huge, hyper-macho men battle valiantly to gain ground and quarterbacks (generals) throw big bombs to win.
In the stands a sea of privileged white faces screaming for blood. We all love the big hits – the big sacks – and the big plays. On the field the players of much darker complexion perform incredible feats, just like their owners pay them to do.
Women sing sweetly or shake pompoms on the sidelines. Thanks to Beyonce for honoring true Black struggle.
The Super Bowl spectacle encourages us to buy the military’s propaganda and greedy corporations spend millions on ads to get us to buy their stuff. We are asked to forget that our military pollutes the globe, has killed millions from Vietnam to Panama to Iraq, is bankrupting us fiscally and that 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
The Super Bowl needs a gigantic flush.
Let’s pray for a truly beautiful America.
Eli Kassirer, New Paltz
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