Cell tower should not be allowed
The proposed Verizon Tower site on Schoolhouse Rd. in Saugerties should not be allowed as per several State, Town, FCC and Historic regulations. First, it will be visible from several historic properties on Schoolhouse Rd. which is a road whose structures need to be preserved. Schoolhouse Rd. is based on a very old Wagon Road whose historic structures and view need to be maintained. The original Old Schoolhouse, a barn listed on the Antique Registry of Dutch American Barns, and two homes built in the 1600’s and 1700s, most of which will have their views interrupted by the tower, will be affected. It will be closer to the two homes that date back to the 17th and 18th century than the 1500 ft., as stated in the Town regulations, (or more as stated in the FCC and other regulations).
The proposal has several statements that are either misleading or incorrect. It’s called the Churchland Cell Tower, but is nowhere near the Churchland area. It is stated that the tower would not be visible from the two historic homes, whereas the balloon test made it evident that it will be visible from both of them. Indeed, the tower will detract from the beauty, and views of rolling hills. The noise generated by the generators will be heard by several residents on Serenity Dr. It will no longer be a very serene location.
The public meeting of the Zoning Board where the public can voice their concerns will be July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Saugerties Senior Center. If you’re interested in maintaining the historical nature of the town of Saugerties, as well as the beauty of the road and its environment, please set this time aside and attend this meeting. Your voice needs to be heard.
Terre Levin
Saugerties
We need Will Yandik
The congressional primary on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, is where all NY-19 Democrats will make the critical decision as to the candidate they want to see on the ballot in the General Election in November, 2016, and from there elected to work for us in the U.S. House of Representatives. I have spent significant time listening to both candidates, and to me, Will Yandik is clearly the best choice.
Will is the Democratic candidate that was born and raised in this district. He understands us and our needs. He talks in detail about the demographics of our district and has well thought out ideas for ways to not only work national issues, but also to help us. He is the Democratic candidate with experience governing, having won election and re-election to the town board in his heavily Republican town. He has proven he can work together with his colleagues, regardless of party, and get progressive goals accomplished. He is the candidate that talks not only about what he is for and what he opposes, but can also articulate the key steps in making progress and how he would proceed. Plus he is well rounded as a successful farmer, teacher, and journalist.
We need a candidate that is one of us, knows us, cares, and knows how to make the right things happen. This is why we need Will Yandik!
Please join me in voting for Will Yandik in the Federal Primary on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, with the polls open from noon to 9 p.m. And please encourage others to do so as well.
Laura Ricci, Chair
Woodstock Democratic CommitteeÂ
Zephyr Has My Vote
I would like to invite everyone who is voting in the Democratic primary to consider supporting Zephyr Teachout for Congress. She is a fine candidate who stands with us, not the corporate or special interests.
Zephyr is a strong voice for protecting our environment: clean water, fresh air and fertile soil, all essential for agriculture and healthy living.
She is for protecting our jobs from being shopped abroad, for quality affordable higher education, a livable minimum wage and healthcare we can trust.
I think we will be lucky to have Zephyr represent us in Congress. She has my vote.
Toni Weidenbacher
Woodstock
Yandik can win
Democrats face an important choice in the June 28th primary for Congress. At the debate in Woodstock, jokes were cracked about the difficulty of discovering an issue on which Will Yandik and Zephyr Teachout disagreed — two progressive candidates. How to choose?
We need a candidate who can attract independent and Republican voters to achieve a win. Will Yandik can do that. He grew up on his fourth generation family farm in Columbia County. After college and graduate school, Will returned home and has been an strong advocate for economic development, sustainable farming, renewable energy, historic preservation, and empowering seniors. He was elected and re-elected as the only Democrat on his town board where he now serves as deputy supervisor. In that position he deals with the down to earth issues that impact our communities. He knows how federal programs can affect our lives. He lived through the changes that saw manufacturing decline in our communities and is determined to find solutions to make our economy vibrant again. He will work hard to promote the interests of the NY19th district in Congress.
We need independent and Republican votes to turn this district Blue. Democrats, look at your friends and neighbors who are Republican or independent voters. Which progressive candidate can attract their votes in November? Will has proven he can win even in a Republican community. On June 28th choose Will Yandik!
Kathy Gordon
Saugerties
Teachout advocates for important change
On June 28 (sometime between noon to 9 p.m.) I am voting for Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic Party Primary. Ms. Teachout is an advocate for important changes in our society which won her the endorsement of both Senator Bernie Sanders and the New York Times. She was part of the campaign to end fracking in New York State and has advocated for an end to reliance on fossil fuel and replacing it with sustainable power sources like solar, wind and hydro electric power.
Ms. Teachout is the author of a book about corruption in our government: Corruption in America — From Benjamin Franklin’s Snuff Box to Citizens United (2014). She is not afraid to stand-up to the powers that be. This was clearly demonstrated when she competed against Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic Party Primary in 2014. She a professor at Fordham Law School and the author of numerous articles about corruption.
Zephyr will be a strong  and persuasive voice for moving the country toward greater equality in earnings for women and the 99%, increasing the minimum wage, and helping more citizens engage in electoral politics by supporting public funding of elections. She will advocate for a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United which gives billionaires an uncontrolled and unlimited right to try to buy elections.
Zephyr Teachout is a descendent of Dutch immigrants; she grew-up in rural Vermont, went to Yale for a B. A. and to Duke where she received a law degree and Masters in Political Science. She will be a powerful spokesperson for Democratic Party values and for the benefit of the Middle Class. She has my vote and I hope you will color in her circle on your ballot.
Lanny Walter
Saugerties
Where there is a Will there is a way
Will Yandik understands the people of the 19th Congressional District. He is one of us. He was born and raised right here. He lives here, runs his farm and business here and knows and understands our culture.
Will Yandik is committed to the issues of our area and he knows what we need. Will is a journalist for AARP and understands the unique issues important to a district with an increasing aging population. He knows how to ask the right questions and listen.
Part of the congressional duties are constituent services. I have confidence that Will is the right person to listen to our needs and make the right decisions.
Yandik has already proven that he can get elected and work with people of all parties. He was recently re-elected to the Town Board in Livingston, and worked to pass progressive policies including a ban on hydrofracking, a reduction in the town’s carbon footprint and additional investments in green space.
Most importantly Will Yandik can win in November. That’s why I’m urging you to vote for Will Yandik for Congress in the June 28thPrimary.
Where there’s a Will…
Mary Anne Wrolsen
Saugerties