Comeau Building Addition
The following is, in part, from a letter sent to Supervisor McKenna from the Commission of Civic Design (CCD): “The CCD was and still remains very uncomfortable with the proposed design in terms of plan and form. The CCD is advisory and it’s our responsibility to hence ‘advise.’ This project is too important and costly to not do right. The $2.3m estimate may also be in question.”
Some of the issues of concern by the CCD were: Why is the plan for the new addition a ‘wraparound’ L-shape shed roof form vs. a simpler building shape built to the south, with compatible gable roofs linked to the existing structure? The proposed L-shaped addition seems to be too close to the existing building. What limitations do the Comeau Easement and existing trees pose?
Why aren’t all Town office functions, including the Supervisor’s office and bookkeeper, included in the new addition, thus keeping all Town office functions ‘together’ more efficiently under one roof and possibly reducing cost?
If construction of a new addition over the existing septic system is a problem, could not Town offices connect downhill to the municipal water and sewer, considering that the existing water supply in the building is not potable?
My question is; how will the Town Board members respond to the CCD’s letter?
Howard Harris
Woodstock
More Misinformation
I am as tired of writing these letters as you are of reading them. While I remain devoted to not disputing people’s opinions, there are some misstatements of fact in last week’s letter column that need correcting.
Some people seem to think that the referendum on the Woodstock Library’s Public Library District status was proposed by the Library itself. It was created by a group of people opposed to replacing the library building with a new one. Its strategy was simply to dissolve the Public Library District. Fortunately, it failed.
The referendum would not have replaced the Public Library District with a Town Library. It would not have replaced the Public Library District with anything. There were no provisions for a new library governing structure, just the dissolution of the existing structure.
Thus, the claim that the librarians would have become town employees is bogus. There was no plan in effect for the Town to take over control of the Library. Or, for that matter, for anyone to take control of the Library.
Finally, if the bond issue is defeated on the November ballot, there will be no money available for a new building or for renovation of the old building.
Leslie Gerber
Woodstock
Don’t Complain, Organize!
Today I feel outraged and deeply saddened by the situation our planet finds itself in. The effects of climate change are showing up, more and more, all over the globe. The Corona virus is scaring the whole world, and economies throughout the planet are reeling from the effects. Our country’s precious democracy appears to be a shadow of our past strength and integrity, qualities that our flag represented for so many years. Today our beautiful world is clearly struggling.
Pointing fingers at which countries and leaders are mostly at fault is normal, but may very well be a losing proposition, from my point of view. But organizing, speaking out, and doing whatever we can to attempt to make a positive difference, is what we must do. If the boat is sinking, those who do nothing but complain about the situation and who might be at fault, usually go down with the boat. “Don’t complain, organize” is, I believe, a much healthier attitude.
As a totally blind person, I know my limits. I cannot fly a plane, safely steer a ship, or for that matter even drive a car. But I do still have power. I can speak out, reach out to friends, write letters to the editors of newspapers, create powerful statements through art, music, and many other ways of expression. I have a voice and I can stand up and let myself, my thoughts, and my feelings, be heard.
The only thing that can stop me is not my blindness. It’s my own powerless image of myself, and my own lack of determination to do my part to help make a difference. We disabled people are also at a crossroads. We can stay in that mind-set of complaining about what’s wrong, or we can do whatever we can do to make our world a better place to live. Complainer or organizer. Which one ya gonna be?
And let’s be clear. This is true, not just for blind and disabled people. But for each and every one of us. So take a moment to ask yourself that all important question. Complainer or organizer. Which one are you going to be?
Marty Klein
Woodstock
Unfair Coverage Not — Incorrect Facts Yes
In the Woodstock Times Feedback on March 5, Dorothea Marcus, President of the Woodstock Library Board offers “The majority of people in town are happy we are moving forward vigorously to make a beautiful, functional new library a reality. They expressed confidence in the board at the ballot box, and they elected a pro-building slate of trustees.”
The “pro-building slate of trustees” that were elected received 53% of the votes cast with 1,479 votes. The slate that was “pro-library in favor of renovation” received 47% of the votes cast with 1,294 votes.
Only 56% of the 4,946 registered voters in Woodstock voted in the election for the library trustees and of the 4,946 registered voters, only 30% of the registered voters “elected a pro-building slate of trustees.”
Considering that no question has been put to the taxpayers, “Do you want to renovate or rebuild?” the 30% of the registered voters who “elected a pro-building slate of trustees” does not indicate “The majority of people in town are happy we are moving forward vigorously to make a beautiful, functional new library a reality.”
Voting for library trustees isn’t sexy and many taxpayers don’t follow or care to take the time to vote for the library trustees. However, when a bond issue comes before the taxpayers, the voting turnout is usually heavier since informed taxpayers will vote on pocket book issues.
Considering population demographics, a senior citizen center in Woodstock should be more of a priority than a new library. Additionally, for all their intentions to build a new library, the library board is derelict in their failure to spend money to preserve the existing library while spending half a million dollars of taxpayer monies on an unapproved project to erect a new library and putting all that money at risk and to be wasted. This malfeasant behavior is reprehensible and a breach of their responsibility.
Woodstock Times had a reporter attend the library board meeting when the board elected a trustee to fill the vacancy caused by Jill Fisher’s resignation. I am a member of the Library Alliance and was the candidate who lost the trustees vote to Jeff Collins in a 7 to zero vote. I attended the meeting and found the Woodstock Times reporting to be balanced. No sour grapes but the Library Board again voted for a trustee in favor of the pro-building slate rather than give the taxpayers who are in favor of the pro-library people in favor of renovation a seat at the table.
I urge all Woodstock taxpayers to visit the website www.libraryalliance.org to see three renderings that are examples of excellent renovations that would cost the taxpayers a lot less and would preserve our existing library.
Jim Dougherty
Bearsville
Don’t Let The Thruway Own Our Bridges
As a local business owner, I can predict if the Thruway owns our bridges, they can use our tolls for their Thruway and neglect our bridges like they did with their (condemned) Tappan Zee Bridge just south of us.
What else would happen if our bridges are neglected and the tolls rise to pay for other things besides our bridges? Our hospital workers will have to pay more to get to work.
Patients will stay on their side of the river. Our Community College students will pay more to get to class. Goods and grocery costs will rise because of the added expense of transportation crossing the river. Shoppers will stay on their side of the river. Workers will look for jobs on their side of the river to avoid the additional commuting costs. Our valley economy will change to the economy on the East side or the West side of the river. People will identify which side of the river they live on — instead of living in the Hudson Valley.
Eventually we will have the “rich” and “poor” side of the river.
The Bridge Authority has been the lifeblood of our economy for close to a century.
We cannot let this happen!
J. Pekoe Teves
Bearsville
Our Planet Earth
The sun rises every morning, unfailingly.
The sun sets every evening, unfailingly.
At night, as clouds disperse, the stars emerge, unfailingly.
This benign, reliable, framework, has been the container for life on earth for millennia.
Our past creations within this benign container have been marked by too much strife and suffering.
Moving forward, mankind can choose the how, and the what, we create together.
Let us choose wisely.
Mel Sadownick
West Hurley
Sensible Coronavirus Preparedness For Woodstock
While, so far, the spread of the virus in our region has been primarily limited to New York City and in relatively small numbers, Woodstock residents would be advised to take sensible steps to keep themselves and our town safer.
We are town that welcomes many visitors on a year-round basis, but particularly over the warm months which are arriving soon.
We are also a town used to holding many public events, from art openings, musical performances, educational classes and meals out. Many of us travel extensively. All such events pose some potential problems along with trips to the bigger cities and towns. Every time guests arrive for a weekend with us, that, too, now carries some heightened concern. Fortunately, many of us work from home, which can help us limit workplace exposures.
What can be done, short of becoming panicked? First, let’s be sure that our first responding crews have the gear and disposable supplies they may need. Then, let’s see what other nearby communities are doing by way of prudent controls, such as those related to public events and public education and follow suit.
It is wise to stock those supplies you might need for a moderate home-bound self-isolation situations. The CDC is a very good source of non-panic advice and worth following, rather than conspiracy theories or other on-line chatter. Generally, such isolation is limited to two weeks.
Simple home precautions can go a long way, such as periodic cleaning of light switches, TV remotes, computer keyboards and mice, mobile phones and commonly used surfaces, such as sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, desktops and doorknobs. Use paper or other disposable products rather than sponges or cloths.
Lots of hand washing is in order and limiting touching your face, where eyes, nose and mouth are primary entry points for viral germs.
Concerning symptoms include a dry unproductive cough, high fever and shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties. Don’t ignore these. Experts suggest that you call 911, first, before heading to the hospital or doctor’s office on your own. They can help you decide if you need to go to an ER, or if they need to dispatch an ambulance.
Douglas I. Sheer
Woodstock
A Question for the Woodstock Library Board
RE: John Ludwig’s Alliance report on the board members’ tedious tear down efforts. Something’s missing in the one-way Corrigan board’s actions/lack of same. The word “competence” comes to mind. John’s words are nicely non-judgmental. Such facts make the board’s glaring incompetence stand out.
The board claimed a large number of voters/money backers of the projected tear down. What proof is there that others’ money is useful, if those who receive it are unqualified spenders who didn’t earn it, and therefore don’t know its true value?
Would any library board member do Woodstock citizens, especially taxpayers, this public courtesy? Kindly address the patron parking space issue your board keeps ignoring. Where will car patrons park? Must long time taxpayer-businessman Mr. Christafora be forced to spend time-effort to identify and protect his property rights? At his expense and effort, erect a fence and sign “For Hardware Patrons Only?” It’s his protected right to provide parking for his patrons on his property. Patrons have the right to park while visiting his store to make purchases that help him pay his taxes. They may visit nearby shops or the Police Station and/or the library. But good will has bounds.
Could something be worked out? Your board refuses to bend or negotiate — proven by their collective willful uncooperative attitude. They’ve repeatedly ignored community input surveys and solutions proffered by qualified local builders to identify library problems. Many maintenance problems, the board has let happen by neglect. Seems deliberate or based on ignorance and incompetence.
Some library patrons, taxpayers or not, will need to park across 212 in the municipal lot, therefore spending extra time to do their library business. Those simply making a short library visit may find its not worth the trip. Some will have to pay taxes for themselves and others to visit the expensive new library, designed and built by overpaid architectural planners and contractors using costly pasteboard materials. How easy to spend other people’s time and money “for doing good.” The fact is, it’s not Good; it is Evil. And, its based on tearing down America, not just a revered landmark building in little old gentrified Woodstock.
Principle is the basis of America, which has its dreamers. Thankfully, it has those who believe in, and support Constitutional principle. How about an answer, Library Board member?
Patience Hutty Kotorman
Woodstock
Acting Out
We want to let you know about a hidden gem in our area which is part of the Woodstock Senior Recreation program.
Edie LeFever, co-founder of Performing Arts of Woodstock, has numerous years of experience in theater arts, and is the leader of a multi-faceted drama group. She guides group members in a series of introductory exercises, monologues, scenes, and improvisations. While some of the material is serious, we also have a lot of fun.
We encourage all who think they might be interested to come join us on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center on Rock City Road or call Edie at 845-679-2114 for more information.
Come explore your creativity!
Gail Handelman, Woodstock
Jeanne Weiss, Saugerties
Desensitization!
We dare not allow ourselves to become desensitized by Trumpf’s repetitive idiocy! This numb-nuts in our Oval Office simply hasn’t a clue about anything scientific. Insisting, before, during and since visiting the CDC, that a vaccine against the coronavirus should be made available immediately, as if all they had to do was wave a magic wand and presto!, a bazillion vaccines would appear and be administered and we’d all be fine and he could resume his re-election campaign and stop having to try to rectify all the mistakes he has made by ignoring the enormous threat this virus was causing, world-wide! His first mistake was believing the tales being spun by the Chinese government! They have lied about every previous virus originating in their country throughout the past many decades, as did those in the USSR about the Chernobyl incident, so who could ever assume they had suddenly become honest and transparent? Only a self-centered, heartless idiot! Appointing Pence as the point-person overseeing this looming pandemic was lunatic! Pence’s lack of objective evaluation of the HIV issue in his home state proves how unqualified and biased he is. He is not capable of dealing with the enormity of this current health threat. Lacking anything even remotely considered leadership from this White House, we must be grateful for all the individual state Governors who are stepping in and providing all the help they possibly can to the citizens within their boundaries. Only by being fully informed and individually practicing every possible hygienic procedure can we avoid the potential loss of hundreds of thousands of lives right here
in the USA. Remember this when you cast your vote this November! Trumpf must receive the biggest defeat of any former POTUS in the history of this nation.
Mary Phillips-Burke
Woodstock
Love And Hate
Any kind of ‘love’ can turn to cold hatred, condescension, scurrilous aloofness, even slow
calculated murder, in the twinkling of an eye.
And it should. That’s why roses need thorns; and black widows their poison.
Ron Rybacki
Woodstock
Choose Your Venue
Bloomberg made a mistake. Instead of running for President of the United States, he should have run for Governor of American Samoa.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Does It Matter?
I have this question for the residents of Ulster County and the Town of Kingston who face the dissolution of the environmental integrity of the Bluestone Wild Forest and the Catskill Park by the construction of the concrete pre-fab plant of 850 Route 28 LLC next to Onteora Lake. Does it matter that the sound of daily blasting, exceeding the decibel level of jet engines, will frighten and kill nesting birds, causing them to abandon their nests and disrupt the roosting of the Long Eared Bat, a “Threatened Species”? Does it matter that the concrete washout and associated chemicals running into the two holding ponds will run off into Praymaher Brook and poison the habitat of trout and the aquatic ecology? Does it matter that the blasting, rock excavation, quarry de-watering and daily well water drawdown will compromise the Bluestone Aquifer and lower the ground water table supplying the nearby wetlands, Pickerel Pond, Onteora Lake, Praymaher Brook, residential wells along Route 28 and affect the watershed of the Town of Hurley? Especially now, as Climate Change altering rainfall patterns, the disappearance of spring snowmelt and “hydrological” drought is drying up local groundwater resources? Or that blasting will dislodge boulders onto roadsides and disrupt the topography of local hillsides? Or that methane and hydrogen sulfide will infiltrate the well water? This is what happened to the residents of East Kingston along 9W next to the Callanan quarry.
Does clear cutting of 21 acres of forest, the creation of eventually ten more acres of blacktop, tainted floodwater runoff flowing into the Praymaher Brook, the obnoxious roar of a 100 daily dump trucks, entering and exiting Route 28 disturb you? Does it matter too, that DEC, along with the Planning Board of the Town of Kingston, is violating the “Forever Wild” provision of Article 14 of the State Constitution prohibiting industrialization of the “protected” Catskill Preserve? And, does it matter that a biological “dead zone” will be created around 850, expand outward into the Bluestone Wild Forest and degrade the bio-diversity of the Catskill Park? I submit to you that these environmental assaults do matter and will happen, if we allow Tom Auringer to proceed with his nightmare project on Route 28.
Victor Capelli
Town of Ulster
Why I Fear Joe Biden
Corporate democrats seem to have missed a major fact. Joe Biden appears to be suffering from dementia. If that doesn’t scare you, perhaps, the fact that Joe Biden will almost certainly lose to Donald Trump should be a cause for concern.
How can a candidate who can’t remember the office for which he is running (sometimes he thinks he is running for the United States Senate, other times he is in a re-election campaign), the name of the person to whom he is speaking, or the state in which he is currently standing (He thought he was in California when he was in Nevada) compete against Donald Trump? He also thought he was running for Super Thursday elections, not Super Tuesday.
Have some of us lost our critical thinking skills to the point where the corporate pundits in the main stream will convince us that this will all be fine, not to mention the horrendous policies Biden supported when he was lucid?
Biden has stood on the floor of the United States Senate more than once advocating to take away much of our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits. He voted for trade agreements such as NAFTA, which have destroyed millions of American jobs. Joe Biden supported the illegal invasion into Iraq which was based upon lies about weapons of mass destruction. And his campaign is being funded by billionaires and a super pac.
These issues are worth pondering as the corporate media talks about anything but these facts, in their campaign of mass distraction.
Lisa Jobson
Lake Hill
Community Impact Of 850 Project
Mary Anne and I started our business Bistro-to-Go on Route 28 in 2007, taking a chance on a neighborhood which was in need of revitalization. Since then the community of businesses has grown and become more prosperous. We now employ 25 people, with more during catering season. Several years ago we along with our neighbors launched Eat-Drink-28 to brand a collection of food-related businesses. The Daily Freeman called us “Gourmet Alley” in an article not long after our launch.
Over the years the “neighborhood” has changed for the better. We have seen how the visitors to Onteora Lake and the Ashokan Rail Trail have had a positive impact on our business. We are also anxious that the effort to re-zone for heavy industry could have a negative impact and feel it is a step in the wrong direction.
I spend 5-6 days a week at work which gives me a ring-side seat to all the traffic on this stretch of Route 28, which includes logging trucks, police cars, construction vehicles, commuter traffic, ambulances, and lots of motorcycles. So add in the visitors getting off Exit 19 to enjoy the beauty of the Catskills and it’s quite a mix.
I have also been witness to countless accidents. It’s hard to imagine the impact that hundreds of construction vehicles will have on this stretch of road that is home to so many small businesses which help to feed our local economy. On behalf of our customers, our neighbors, business owners and the larger community I strongly urge the Town of Kingston Planning Board and the Town of Kingston Town Board to step back a moment, think long and hard about the impact this decision will have on our entire community as well as all those who visit our beautiful area.
This impact would be felt not only in the short term but for many years to come. Yes, there are rules and guidelines for shaping development and I am not asking anyone to ignore those, however I strongly feel community planning and development needs to be forward thinking, even visionary. Planning by definition entails establishing goals, policies and procedures that benefit our community. Simply ruling on individual zoning requests without considering the impact to the community at large does not show leadership and diminishes the power and importance these decisions have on our lives.
Richard Erickson
Mary Anne Erickson
Blue Mountain Bistro-to-Go
Kingston
Of Microbes And Men
COVID-19 has Italy in lockdown. Italy’s economy thrives on tourism. Italy is about the same size as New York State. Imagine if it was us, no one in, no one out? Imagine trade plummeting. Who will eat what? Processed foods and toxic plastic packaging will lose its consumership. If the economy comes to a halt and supermarkets crash, with whom may we trade dollars for food? Cash market economies, incomes, stocks, dividends, pensions, IRAs, assets, savings and cash gifts won’t feed you.
Really dark black humus, the salt of the earth, will. It has fed our ancestors for millennia. Yummy food for a hungry tummy. Protect Ulster County from toxic industrial wastes. Consume only which enriches and does not deplete the lifegiving soil. The only green you should harvest is not in your wallet but in the ground. Decomposition always Trumps acquisition. In the end, the microbes always win out.
Zura Capelli
Town of Ulster
This Ain’t The Common Cold
Pandemic” isn’t just a technical public health term. It also is — or should be — a rallying cry. Our fearless Cheetos Leader has far too many important rallies and golf outings he must attend and can’t be bothered by this nonsense. How is he expected to do the “real job” of a president which is work on his back nine while snowflakes are fretting about this made up “Corona” virus!? Yeah, he’s even called it a hoax…But wait a minute, I’ve drank Coronas for years and I’m fine! But seriously folks…
Trump asked if getting a flu shot would help. This after touring CDC labs and getting a complete explanation of this deadly COVID-19 virus. Trump downplays risk at every opportunity. Yes, he and his ilk are massively inept at protecting our citizenry. He doesn’t have the mentality nor skills to deal with this. Trump refuses to believe the World Health Organization and their concerns or even his own team of doctors as he keeps contradicting these health experts all the time
He wants to deny this problem because acknowledging it will affect the money markets and all he cares about is dollars plus poll numbers and reelect ability. Saving “Team Trump” embarrassment isn’t what this is about, and only fixes the wrong problem. Lies, distortions and smears is more important than actually providing quality leadership… Trump is literally “patient zero” for misinformation and to continually counter scientists and their expertise is effn “insanity!”
Our POTUS told associates that he put Mike Pence in charge of the “Crisis Task-force” because the vice president didn’t “have anything else to do.” Untrusted political voices lead are nation through this moment while they quash reliable science voices. I’m sure VP Pence is deep in prayer. That’s his response. They have yet to figure out that God made scientists and doctors for a reason. Trump handed it off to Mike Pence, so you can blame him, and not the boss. That was the plan anyway. Pretty risky game of hot potato, isn’t it?
Duh, can I say, the COVID-19 virus issue is bringing out all of Trump’s worst instincts, as he can’t seem to stop substituting his personal and bizarre judgment or “hunches” over real knowledge of public health professionals — “Duck You, Fonald!”
Once again, that anti-science bent of Trump and his minions creates a perfect storm of f%#k’d-upness! He’ll take no responsibility for anything or the consequences — It’s always and only about his brand…wake-up people!
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Massive Predicted Effects of 5G Happening Worldwide
February 25, 2020 Prof. Martin Pall Ph.D., a physicist from the school of molecular biology of Washington State University published a scientific article titled “Massive Predicted Effects of 5G” (https://fourfoldhealing.com/blogs/news/massive-predicted-effects-of-5g?mc_cid=8c817edfbb&mc_eid=f16d0bfc09). In the article he describes the biological mechanism of harm of being exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMF/EMR), specifically microwaves and millimeter meter waves, which 5G technology uses. He makes note of an event that happened in the Netherlands when during three days of testing 5G infrastructure in Rotterdam, hundreds of birds dropped from the sky of apparent cardiac arrest. Also in the area two large events of cattle panicking occurred. In Germany reports of cattle and sheep demonstrating aggressive and bizarre behavior once 5G was deployed.
Pall also notes, on immediate results humans when deploying 5G: “The reports of human effects in Switzerland included many reports of neurological/neuropsychiatric effects and also cardiac effects.” Specifically he reports of an ambulance service who proudly announced they would be using 5G communications with the area hospitals. Once 5G was implemented, three of the ambulance staff committed suicide within 11 days of each other.
Most people are only aware of the cancer connection to EMF/EMR exposure but are not aware of the more profound neurological (alzheimers/dementia/autism) and neuropsychiatric effects (depression, anxiety sleep disorders). The military has known this for years and stated in one of their early research documents that the “most profound effect of RF/MW is behavior modification” (RF/MW is radiofrequency/microwaves or EMF/EMR).
Now consider the correlation between the installation of 5G equipment and the spread of the coronavirus. Pall states: “These findings show that the rapid pace of the coronavirus epidemic developed at least roughly as the number of 5G antennae became extraordinarily high. So we have this finding that China’s first 5G smart city and smart highway is the epicenter of this epidemic and this finding that the epidemic only became rapidly more severe as the numbers of 5G antennae skyrocketed.”
I suggest everyone read Prof. Pall’s well-documented article linked above, and consider, is that what we want for our town? Why on earth would we want to take such risks? Demand town officials take a stand to protect ourselves, our children and all biological life. Don’t believe for a minute the claim their “hands are tied by Washington” as other progressive towns nationwide have put in place ordinances banning 5G successfully. Review “take action” at ehtrust.com, scientists4wiredtech.com & thetruthsayerswoodstock.com and take action.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Human Nature Vs. Mother Nature?
Could it be that our — homo sapiens that is — brilliant but mechanistic, deterministic, metrics of profit and ‘progress’ — with a little help from fossil fuels — is what’s enabled too many of us (I for one) to too easily buy into the complicit, complacent and comfortable lives we’ve come to take for granted today?
If not already too late, perhaps COVID 19 is the necessarily humbling factor to finally reflect more consciousness of the consequences of our actions and the instability and increasing vulnerability we are compounding as we take advantage of today’s astonishing levels of freedom, mobility, and flexibility that comes courtesy of our Petroculture take-over of the Western World!
I don’t know about you, but the rate at which our breathtakingly unsustainable systemic patterns continue to colonize and imperil Mother Earth, makes me feel deeply ashamed. As one of those Boomers who’ve had the best of it, but who for 30 years has attempted to speak up on behalf of future generations and for this, our planet home — it is hard not to despair.
Who knows how much the acceleration of this Coronovirus around the world is attributable to the stellar speed of technology that has arisen from the more assertive but short-sighted priorities of the left side of our brains. Iain McGilchrist’s opus on The Divided Brain can help cast light on why we have not chosen to heed the warnings of Rachel Carson, or Oren Lyons, the IPCC, James Hansen, Bill McKibben, Polly Higgins, or today, Greta Thunberg. And still Greenpeace, NRDC, Oceana, Sierra Club, Audubon, World Wildlife, Union of Concerned Scientists and now Sunrise and Extinction Rebellion and all the others’ whose environmental-justice missions our leaders are still failing to compute.
The trouble we are in today, here and around the globe, is lamentably much to do with the types of men who, for eons, have had what it takes to succeed in getting to, and staying, ‘on top,’ here, in Washington and Wall Street. Our existential challenge remains their, and our, need to integrate the heart-centered, related, contextual, empathic and moral qualities more innate to the right hemisphere of our brains. Qualities that exist in the heads of men as well as women!
For whatever is in front of us, local and global, here’s health to everyone. Hopefully the fear and dreadful pain and losses that COVID 19 may bring will help us learn better lessons in humility so we may stand and be grateful for the best of the most loving, life-sustaining and regenerative qualities and values of human nature.
Jude Asphar
Woodstock
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