Your Money
The Town applied for and received the 2016 Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Clean Vehicle Infrastructure grant that gave Woodstock money to buy and install two Electric Vehicles (EVs) charging stations. If you watched the Town Board meeting when Ken Panza presented his annual update regarding Woodstock’s energy consumption, you would have heard him discuss the four thousand dollars the town has spent on electricity so that owners of EVs could charge their vehicles free of charge. You would also have heard McKenna say that it was only when he recently submitted those electric bills to the DEC and the bills were rejected did he realize it was the Woodstock taxpayers who were keeping the EVs running.
How did this happen? Based on the ensuing conversation between McKenna and the town board members, it appears that they were of the belief that the electricity was to be paid for with grant money. However, to receive the grant, the Town had been required to answer some questions, one of which was “Briefly describe plans for installation and operation of the proposed facility.” The response by the Town was “The Town of Woodstock will provide complimentary charging to station users. As there is a greater demand for public charging, we can anticipate a time when we will start charging a fee. However, even at that point in time, a price structure which would cover the cost of the electricity and any transaction fee imposed by the charging network, would be adequate.”
Maybe doing the best they can is not good enough.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Bard And Fairness
Last week Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, circulated a letter announcing the dramatic steps against the spread of COVID-19 undertaken by Bard College. According to this plan, the college will effectively be closed for the rest of the semester and students will have to leave campus. All face-to-face instruction will cease and faculty will transition to remote instruction. Effectively, Bard will switch to online courses for the rest of the semester.
Distance learning has been lauded in America as a cheap alternative to traditional education. The cost of education at Bard is substantial. Tuition is $55,566 with another $15-17,000 for room and board. The steps against COVID-19 that Bard has announced involve the transition to online instruction — a much cheaper version of education than the traditional one. However, in his plan president Botstein has not mention any provisions to pay back to students the difference between the cost of traditional education and the going market price for online credits. The plan also does not include any provisions to reimburse students for the unused portion of what they have paid for room and board.
For the sake of fairness Bard should not take advantage of its students. They should be compensated for their losses.
Gennady Shkliarevsky
Professor of History Emeritus
Bard College
Break The Tilly Contract
It’s a great time for the Library Board to reassess how insane their spending plan is, to build the unaffordable plan Tilly building and revote this summer for something different. This country and this town deserves a high functioning state of the art but simple library plan that includes great technology, security and parking plans plus a great website immediately. The Library is so dysfunctional now there is no lighting in the parking lot, the mold problem just remains-and in this closed time the link that is supposed to connect to online services of the Mid-Hudson System is non-existent. Let’s face it. The Tilly plan is a drain and Coronavirus is draining our Town. It’s an emergency. We can’t afford that project. There’s a greener better way, a Woodstock way.
Stacy Hager
Woodstock
Our Library
After our economy tanked in 2007, people found themselves in a situation where their resources were suddenly restricted, diminished, gone. The hunger census rose weekly in our local food pantry.
Throughout this challenging period, the Woodstock Library was a haven for the cold, homeless, hungry, tired. This included their pets when they brought them in on a leash.
Woodstock Library employees and volunteers opened the bathroom, the books, the doors, and the heated (or air conditioned) building during cold, wet, hot weather.
Whenever I visited our library, I saw a space filled with people avoiding inclement weather, reading newspapers, using library computers.
Computers are crucial to the homeless, the struggling poor, the underemployed, and the unemployed. Without a computer or expensive cell phone, it’s next to impossible to find a food pantry, get a job, learn about a bus route, locate a shelter, make an appointment, or check in with a loved one.
Our library was a lifeline for people: artists, disabled, elderly, homeless, hungry, ill, musicians, resource poor, situational poor, struggling poor, transients, veterans, writers.
Our Woodstock Library was a special gift to our community during this difficult time. Volunteers and employees treated everyone with dignity, honor, respect, smiles whether homeless or billionaires.
Now, with difficult times returning to our community, I honor every volunteer and worker in our library. Thank you for your service.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
Support Our Local Cultural Institutions
Okay, so we are all hunkering down, canceling elective doctor visits, shopping less frequently, using gloves and when found, masks. Washing and washing our hands again and again. And, when possible, donating to local charities that help our less fortunate friends and neighbors, like Family of Woodstock. Bravo!
But, don’t forget that Woodstock and its reputation is built on its many artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers, actors, writers and other creative types who live and visit here. They, in turn, depend on the local cultural institutions as their anchors and outlets for their expression.
Protect our cultural centers. Those institutions need your help too. We have the Woodstock School of Art, The Byrdcliffe Guild, the Center for Photography at Woodstock, The Maverick Concerts and the Woodstock Library. Each needs nurturing and your patronage. And, I add to that The Golden Notebook bookstore. It is critically important that all survive or our beloved artist’s colony will be damaged and our town diminished.
Our real estate values, our restaurants and shops and our enjoyment of being here all depend on the value that these institutions deliver to our town. I say this as someone who has spent nearly half a century nurturing and fundraising for an art not-for-profit, Artists Talk on Art, which at 46 years is the art world’s longest running panel discussion series in NYC, of which I am now Chairman Emeritus. Money is the lifeblood of such organizations.
So, how can you help now? You can give a donation, preferably to more than one entity. Become a member. You can buy a class or workshop in advance for yourself or as a gift or to sponsor someone. Buy some art through one of their galleries. Buy a seasonal concert subscription. Buy a gift card. Buy some products. Buy a few books. Volunteer.
Light at the end of the tunnel. Right now, things are looking pretty grim and scary. But, within a few months — experts debate the exact length and depth of the virus and the recession — these institutions will reopen and honor your thoughtful patronage and the certificates or memberships you buy now. The consensus is that by mid-summer or perhaps sooner we will see significant restoration of our normal life here.
Your help now will assure their stability and that they will continue to deliver their many benefits to our community.
Douglas I. Sheer
Woodstock
Fearful And Hopeful
The solution of the coronavirus crisis is twofold: [1] keep and make people healthy; and [2] enact radical legislation. For example: grant healthcare for all, cancel student debt, and halt global warming. This time is fearful but also hopeful.
Moments of shock are profoundly volatile. We either lose a whole lot of ground, get fleeced by elites and pay the price for decades. Or we win progressive victories that seemed impossible just a few weeks earlier. This is no time to lose our nerve.
The future will be determined by whoever is willing to fight hardest. Let us all now engage in the struggle for progressive change.
Rev. Finley Schaef
Saugerties
Our Fine Regional And Local Medical Care
In the past month, I have had to stay at Albany Medical Center and later Kingston Hospital, each time for three days. My condition had nothing to do with the current pandemic, and I’m glad to be home before either institution begins to deal with its impact. But I want to say thank you to everyone. I received excellent, caring attention from physicians, nursing staff, and everyone associated with these two great hospitals. Thanks also to our fabulous Woodstock Rescue Squad, which has always responded quickly and effectively when asked, and to my PCP, Dr. Teresa Foster, at HealthQuest. I’m currently getting home visits from Always There, now under the Archcare organization. In each case, I couldn’t ask for better.
Judith Kerman
Woodstock
Arce Domine
First it was a hoax, and now Trump states, “He knew it was a pandemic before anyone knew it was a pandemic.” We can’t even lean on our federal government to do the right thing. We’ve witnessed so much mismanagement by him and his administration.
Trump also said “relax we’re doing great. It all will pass.” Dr. Fauci, a renowned American immunologist with NIH said, “the worst is, yes, ahead for us…” Unfortunately, many enablers/constituency of President Dumb Dumb parrot this moronic leader by squawking, “It’s no different than a cold”. Squawk, “It’ll fizzle out in the springtime”. Squawk, “It’s Obama’s fault”.
Trump graded himself on coronavirus response with a perfect 10 out of 10 score… however, we need clarity. He recently dodged a related question about whether the “buck stops” with him, and said it “normally” would, but this pandemic is “unprecedented” and then emphasized “nope, I’m not taking any responsibility for the national government response.” IMHO he never took the coronavirus seriously when it started. Trump wasted over two months by not providing a good federal response to this health issue.
He continues to shrug off responsibility and shows little genuine concern when implying “it is first and foremost the individual states and their governors’ problem – it’s their job, when it comes to providing necessary medical equipment and supplies (PPE) to fight this terrible virus war…” The lack of preparedness by Trump and his administration has been glaringly awful. “Hey Trump, you can’t BS your way out of this pandemic…A bluff just doesn’t work — it kills!”
We must inoculate ourselves from Trump and his false promises and insincere optimism. His words do not comfort because he misinforms and at times we hear outright lies. We must put our trust in the governors, mayors, county executives, and other locally elected officials who communicate the truth, the urgency of the problem, and real threat of the Covid-19 virus. Take all advised restrictions earnestly as they put forth a plan of action but don’t get sucked into panic. Stay calm. Be smart. Wash your hands. Use social distancing and shelter-in-place precautions if that’s mandated. Stay healthy Woodstockers!
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
What To Invest In
In response to Natalie Cyr’s letter last week I’d like to point out that the facts she cited about costs for a new library building were public knowledge over a year ago when the Library Board approved a contract with architect Stephen Tilly. And the contract with a Construction Manager is likewise public knowledge. Thus none of them are “Hidden Costs.” What is not said in her letter is that virtually all of those costs (and probably more) would be incurred by renovation of the existing library building. No matter how much money is poured into this building, which would need to be gutted and raised by nearly a foot, it will never function adequately to meet community needs. It would appear that those adamantly opposed to building new simply do not want to invest in Woodstock.
The need for more space has been documented since 2006 and in 2016-17 a Master Facilities Plan for our Library was developed by a library expert, which included a thorough community input process and which outlined and illustrated what an up-to-date library should be. That plan recommended new construction as the most appropriate and fiscally responsible long-term solution. I find it interesting that people who are unwilling to spend money for an essential community institution are willing to pony up for a billboard to oppose it.
Jill Fisher, Former Library Trustee
Woodstock
Dealing Thoughtfully with the Coronavirus
I am watching what is happening in our country, and around us locally, as Charlotte and I are still wintering in Florida. The Coronavirus has shaken the whole world, and most people are really scared. I am saddened to see so many people walking around with this new heaviness, in addition to all that we are dealing with in our individual lives, and all our personal struggles. The combination is quite a load, and one that we as a society have not had to face, at least in my lifetime. We will get through this challenge, but some of us will handle things better than others. Here are a few of my observations and a few handy tips that may help a little for some of you
- More people may die from the flu every year, but this virus appears to be at least 10 times as lethal, based on the numbers. This is a very good reason to be concerned, but instead of denial or panic, we can choose to focus on being calm and making smart decisions. I find that slowing my physical pace down just a little helps me remember to slow down my internal chatter. And I find that I make better decisions when I am going more slowly.
- When we get scared we tend to become critical and judgmental of others who may be choosing another approach in dealing with the virus. We cannot control others, but we can control our reactions. It’s hard to remember that our anger usually causes problems for our bodies and our loved ones, and most of the time does not help in getting others to change their behavior. When I feel annoyed or even angry at those who I perceive as acting irresponsibly, I do some deep breathing, and work toward changing that internal TV channel. I don’t want to pretend that all is well, but I do not want to hurt myself with out of control anger.
- The fear of the virus is real, but what can we do with those intense emotions? If 3 people feel scared, they are having the same internal physical experience; faster heartbeat, adrenalin pumping through the body and that fight/flight reaction. One person runs and hides. One person freezes with fear. But the third person feels the fear, and then figures out what would be the smartest thing to do, and then does it while continuing to think clearly. We need more people who will keep thinking clearly at this time.
- Attempting to diminish the fear can be useful at times. But all too often the focus on getting rid of fear drains us of our energy, and we can become obsessed. It’s good to remember that the reason we hate fear so much is because we love life so much. And the fear often gets in the way. When I feel fear I also like to remember how much I love my life. Then instead of being scared of the fear, I often feel annoyed with the fear, and then usually feel determined to find my way back.
Maybe the scare from this virus will help all of us get more in touch with our love of life, and hopefully we’ll all be around for years to come, to remember how the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic of 2020, affected us and our world, and how each one of us handled that challenging time. Prayers and blessings to all!
Marty Klein
Woodstock
Craven Cowardice
The total lack of leadership from this self-absorbed, inept, bumbling idiot of a POTUS has dramatically increased the risk factors from COVID-19. By initially denying the threats it posed for 2 months, because he knew if the facts got out everyone could see that his immediate concern was his own reputation. Plus he needed the time for him and numerous other elected officials to shed their investments that would nose-dive as soon as the news got out!
Valuable preparation time has been irretrievably lost, thanks to his ineptitude, gigantic ego and his corruption. As NYC hospitals, already overwhelmed, prove, every one of us is at higher risk because we are stuck with this ignoramus-in-chief. This is also due to the craven cowardice of this GOP Senate. Despite the majority of the GOP Senators admitting that yes, Trumpf was guilty of the impeachment charges leveled against him, they none-the-less voted to acquit!
So, we are stuck with him, to our collective detriment! Concerns that Trumpf was incapable of dealing with a crisis of any kind have existed since before he was sworn into office. He has proven those concerns were more than valid by his very obvious inability to even begin to get a plan in place, let alone execute one. I have two warnings for you to seriously consider. My first warning pertains to this current pandemic. Do not believe anything coming from either Trumpf or Pence. They lie repeatedly and consistently. Trust only the information you can secure from the CDC, the local Health Dept., Gov. Cuomo and your personal physician.
My second warning concerns the 2020 Census. I have received and electronically returned my individually coded form. If you have any questions regarding your form when you receive it, call the Census Bureau directly. The number is on the form. Under no circumstances believe anything coming from anyone in this White House! It goes without doubt that “Trumpf, Inc” will do everything they possibly can to skew the numbers! Neither Trumpf nor Pence nor any of the other “acting heads” appointed by Trumpf can be trusted to tell the truth. Their collective loyalty lies solely with Trumpf, not with anything remotely resembling patriotism or concerns for the country or its citizenry, let alone fair distribution via the current census. If, God forbid, Trumpf were to
win a second term, his minions would immediately skew the census numbers to further prevent fair and balanced voting, just as they have removed hundreds of thousands of names from voter registration lists all across this country. In particular they concentrate on areas that are heavily populated by non-white individuals. This GOP has only been accomplished at one thing and that one thing is cheating as many citizens of as many of their civil rights as they possibly can. Mitch McConnell has seen to this ever since Obama won his first presidential race.
Mary Phillips Burke
Woodstock
Traveling Covid19
I will say this is only hearsay but from several reliable local sources. Apparently people coming up from the city buy groceries in huge amounts because its easier than dealing with long lines. Also, if they are not second home owners, they are renting the AirBnB/Short Term Rental Units understandably to escape the virus. However, its very possible, that these visitors are bringing more of the virus here, undiagnosed. It is not likely that the hosts are checking this out before renting. We cannot know.
This may further disrupt our community by taxing our medical system beyond the immediate population as well as depleting our food supplies.
Ours is not an inhospitable community. It is our historic nature to rise to whatever situation arises but it seems that newcomers, even weekenders, should be at least be required to have self quarantined for the requisite 14 days or to have been tested before joining us. My own family is doing this before they come to their own house to shelter in place for the duration of Covid19.
Lets hope that our guests have had the consideration to be sure they do not have the virus before coming here.
Sarah Mecklem
Woodstock
Laws Don’t Protect Residents
I live in Saugerties, Blue Mt. area and have lived here for over eight years. Recently there has been a spate of incidences involving the killing of animals. A few weeks ago my neighbor was walking his dog on a trail we often use (across the street from our residences). He was very close to the road when his dog stepped on an animal trap and it engaged onto her paw. This set off Facebook posts and calls to the Rip Van Winkle campground (which abuts this trail) where it was determined one of the staff or one of the owners (?) admitted to having set several coyote traps. There was no apology for what happened to my neighbor’s dog, and in fact he accused him of trespassing (the property is not posted and we all have been walking back there for years without incident). Another neighbor found a skinned coyote in his part of the creek (a very disturbing discovery). We have found it is not against the law to hunt coyote and this was the last few days of the season.
Today I (or rather my dogs) came across another disturbing sight. Just off the road, not far from this last incident I found the remains of two small bear cubs and three fawns. I took photos of the sight and my neighbor did as well. What makes someone kill young animals? And were they trapped first so it was easy to kill them? We have found this same hunter places baits out to kill the deer. I don’t understand why all the laws protect the hunters and not the residents who live here. Isn’t it time for this to change?
Laurie Freeman
Saugerties
Read, Think And Act
There are neighbors who have no income. There are neighbors who have little or no food in their pantry. There are neighbors who have no money to spend on food. There are neighbors who are hungry and have little or nothing to eat. There are children who are hungry and have little or nothing to eat. There is no foreseeable end to this crisis at hand.
I challenge you to take a moment to think on what you have. Income. Financial stability. More food than you can handle. A comfortable life.
I don’t have all the answers, but history has taught us a lot: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
“Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” — Kathy Calvin
“I learned to give not because I have much, but because I know exactly how it feels to have nothing.” — Anonymous
What can you do? How can you help? How can you make a difference?
The answer is easy. Donate. And, don’t think your donation isn’t needed because someone else will donate.
The reward you get by giving is easy to achieve. Woodstock is fortunate to have three good not-for-profit organizations that serve our neighbors in need. If you were poor and hungry, they’d be there for you. Each of the organizations have a website where you may be able to make an online donation, or you could mail your donation to them directly.
Here they are:
The Table at Woodstock, 114 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498 https://www.thetableatwoodstock.org/contact/
The Good Neighbor Food Pantry, 16 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498
http://www.goodneighborfoodpantryofwoodstock.org/index.html
Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, 26 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498
https://christwoodstock.org/wp/daily-bread-soup-kitchen/
So now it’s up to you. Reflect on what Barack Obama said, “What an amazing gift to be able to help people, not just yourself.”
Jim Dougherty
Shady
Melt Down
One silver lining in the coronavirus cloud hanging over the planet is that the message people throughout the world are hearing from Donald Trump — loud and clear, though in his infinite denial “The Chosen One” himself may have only begun to hear it whispering in His ear — is no longer “Make America [and Myself Above All] Great Again,” but “I’m Melting.”
I pray, and expect, that on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, life will have gotten sufficiently back to normal that we can gather together once again and put the finishing touches to this meltdown, and that we’re all still healthy and hopeful enough to join in mopping up the swamp left in this real-life Wicked Witch of the West’s wake.
Stay safe and connected, everybody, and keep the faith.
Tom Cherwin
Saugerties
Dwelling
Does Ellen, perhaps, live in… Ellenville?
What about Margaret?
Ron Rybacki
Never Let A Serious Crisis Go To Waste
Putting things into perspective, let it be known that on October 18, 2019 at the Pierre Hotel in NYC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hosted “Event 201.” The event was to prepare business, health and government leaders to prepare for a “Hypothetical situation but scientifically plausible,” namely a pandemic.
So this event happened 2 1/2 months before Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist, warned Chinese officials of the arrival of coronavirus in December. He died from the disease in the hospital. It wasn’t till December 31, 2019 that the Chinese government announced it had 27 people ill with the Coronavirus. Yet Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation somehow knew to prepare 2 1/2 months prior for this pandemic. The preparations included simulated newscasts that mirror the newscast we are seeing now as well as issuing recommendations. They projected the outcome to be 65 million deaths worldwide. You can see all of this for yourself if you go to their website at event201.com. Watch their video “Highlights Reel.” Its eerie how they knew what was about to unfold just as they practiced for.
What is also interesting is that where 5G infrastructure was deployed the coronavirus spreads much faster as documented by Prof. Pall in his article; “Predicted Massive Effects of 5G”.
Arthur Fistenberg has documented whenever a breakthrough in history occurred in electronics and was deployed like electrification of municipalities and the introduction of radar, massive flu outbreaks occurred in society. To get the details on that read his new book Invisible Rainbow, which is a bestseller on Amazon.
So now as we all face Medical Marshall Law under the guise of “New York State on Pause” being put in place last Sunday night at 8 p.m., most will have plenty of time to read and reflect, do we really want anymore technologies like 5G, introduced into our communities, or in space for that matter, that have been documented to lower our now realized precious immune systems that are a major factor in not being a victim of this current pandemic or any other one in the distant horizon?
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Don’t Institutionalize Frail New Yorkers
“The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, recognized the Medicaid Redesign Team as one of five finalists in the 2015 Innovations in American Government Awards competition.” — The Health.ny.gov website.
What does the restructuring of Medicaid in NYS by this award winning team actually look like in some of the details?
According to Hand in Hand, the Domestic Employers Network, “the Medicaid Redesign Team is proposing cuts to Medicaid that will likely guarantee that huge numbers of elderly and disabled individuals will end up in institutional settings where they are most at risk of exposure to COVID19, a virtual death sentence for these medically frail individuals.”
These proposals aim to:
1) Require two ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) for CDPA (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance) and Personal Care;
2) Eliminate Level One only CDPA or Personal Care;
3) Prohibit spousal refusal, meaning people must impoverish themselves for their spouse to stay in the community;
4) Impose a resource test for community-based LTC (Long Term Care) — delaying services by up to six months for everyone as the test is conducted;
5) Require an “independent utilization review” to determine if those getting over 12 hours of care are “safe” to live in the community.
Gov. Cuomo, the well being of these vulnerable New Yorkers depends on being able to stay in their homes, especially in this time of COVID-19. You must not take away the safety net that currently allows this without providing another one that provides the same opportunity to stay at home. The New York Health Act proposes universal coverage for all New Yorkers for their entire lives at less than current costs, including long term care at home. Isn’t that a better way to go?
Tamara Schuppin
Saugerties
What A Great Community Of Heroes!
“Is it Christmas?” Ruth Drake, 94, wanted to know. She called to thank Susie Kessler and Judy Fox, the intrepid board members of Woodstock’s Good Neighbor Food Pantry. These women never stop. Ruth has lived alone since her husband died 10 years ago. A man who can only eat soft food because of tracheostomy had meals of soft foods delivered from the pantry.
The amazing team of volunteers at the Food Pantry include people from the Fire Dept., the Dept. of Transportation, plain folk, support from the Supervisor’s office. Help from Family of Woodstock. Probably, some great volunteers have been left out of this list. Food is for everyone.
So, if you live outside the delivery zone, say past Wilson State Park in Mt. Tremper, you can go to the panty Wed. and Thurs afternoons to get your groceries — which include lots of fresh vegetables and fruit which Kessler and Fox somehow manage to get every day.
I haven’t even gotten to Emily Sherry at The Table, another hero.
Heroes abide everywhere now: One worries about the (cheerful) older woman working at CVS. She obviously works there because she must work to keep a roof over her head. And there is the amazing, smiling team at Sunflower. And the cashiers and clerks at Hannaford. I called to thank them. The cashier said they are doubling up shifts, stocking as fast as they can.
And the crew at Woodstock Apothecary. They won’t let you in but will deliver. Neal, the owner — a father of five, begs everyone to stay home.
Bobby Mathisen, head of the Hurley Transfer Station, is another hero. He had a dilemma. People need their garbage out of their houses and lawns or there will be problems with animals! And, he had also to protect his staff. His boss wasn’t that sure about closing but Bobby closed anyway for two days to think. His solution: a drive-in approach but no one
touches anything. No recyclables as Bobby did his homework about possible infection on plastic. And he dropped fees because handling money could also be dangerous. (I think the town of Hurley made him a deputy.)
We live in an extraordinary community. Thank you all.
Jo Yanow-Schwartz
Woodstock
Cuts One Way
You can sleep in your car but you can’t drive your house.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Remembering Eric Weissberg
Eric has gone to play dueling banjos with Bill.
The angels are dancing today. RIP.
Jim Hanson
Woodstock
Protect The Health Care Workers
Personal protective equipment, specifically, N 95 masks, gowns and gloves, are needed and have been needed for our health care workers in Ulster County and across New York state. This is an emergency. If health care workers do not receive this protective gear immediately, they will become infected with the Covid-19 virus, their patients will risk becoming infected, and their families will be at risk.
Politicians make statements, hotlines are set up with no answer to this question. Where is the protective gear and if we’ve run out, what are you doing about it?
The governors of Michigan and New Jersey must have made requests because both states received equipment from the national stockpiles. How much is in the national stockpiles? Who is asking?
National Nurses United has a petition that anyone can sign asking for the life saving equipment that they need. I urge you all to sign it. This isn’t about waiting until everyone needs to be hospitalized and on ventilators. We need to prevent the spread of this deadly disease!
I will mention that Bernie Sanders has addressed this. He is fighting for these health care workers. He and his supporters also raised two million dollars in just days to support organizations such as meals on wheels that can help the ordinary working Americans of this country.
Lisa Jobson
Lake Hill
Fall Of The House of Ulster
Trails are like termites. They eat away at the foundation of a house.
Zura Capelli
Town of Ulster
The Elixir of Life
Perhaps the greatest contribution to the origin of life on Earth and key to its success was the presence of water. Three fourths of the Earth’s surface is covered with water and without it, life would perish. But only 1% of our fresh drinking water in this country comes from groundwater and we are using it up at a frightening rate. The Ogallala High Plains Aquifer out West, for example, which supplies the agricultural needs for eight states, is dwindling fast at a rate of more than two feet a year. Droughts caused by Climate Change, overconsumption by cities and towns, industry, agriculture and hydrofracking are using up groundwater aquifers faster than they are being replenished by rain or snow.
The key to aquifer replenishment is surface source waters like rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. Wetlands are crucial contributors to groundwater supplies and recharge. The 2.4 million acres of wetlands we have left in NYS are the precious treasures of life we have to safeguard for the ecology and for us. Then why does Tom Auringer push a pre-fab concrete and steel plant right in the middle of Ulster County’s protected KW3 wetlands? The Rt. 28 wetlands supplies water to the Bluestone aquifer, which in turn feeds the wells of area residents in the Towns of Kingston and Hurley, the farmlands of Hurley Flats and the people of Ulster County.
The Bluestone Aquifer is very vulnerable to the mining effects of blasting and rock excavation. Since we no longer have the luxury of spring snowmelt filling our streams and rivers — the aquifer will be greatly impacted and depleted. Consider that Ulster County received barely enough snow this winter and that spells disaster both for agricultural and domestic needs. Residential well failure from industrial drawdown and hydraulic drought will occur and the wetlands will be the first conspicuous casualty of Tom Auringer’s environmental atrocity.
There is an old saying — “we always kill the things we love.” So why are we “killing” it here in Ulster County by allowing Tom Auringer to proceed with his water sucking and wetland destroying industrial boondoggle in the heart of the Bluestone Wild Forest? The abundance of clean, plentiful water in these Catskill hills makes life worth living here. Let’s not throw it away for the selfish corporate interests of a greedy few who care only for greenbacks and not the green hills of the Catskill Park.
Victor Capelli
Town of Ulster
Highway Dept. Fully Staffed
Town of Woodstock Highway Dept. remains fully staffed, during the governors executive order to cut non-essential staff, while surrounding towns (Olive, Shandaken, Saugerties, Ulster) have gone to 50% staff and using two rotating crews to cover a normal work week. Other town’s departments (Hurley, Esopus) have shut down completely.
The town of Woodstock refuses to go to a rotating staff, 50% schedule despite the staff’s cries to the Highway bosses (Mike Reynolds) and Town Supervisor (Bill McKenna) of concerns for the health and wellbeing for themselves and their families amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The staff has been told, regarding their concerns, to “man up” and “don’t kiss each other” by the Highway management.
The health and safety concerns aren’t only for the staff but for the people of Woodstock, whom we are often working with and around.
Woodstock Highway staff has been offered minimal solutions to this issue, none which truly help controlling the spread of the virus.
One workplace reduction was offered that included regular weekend shifts and would’ve forced us to drain our personal time and one staff member would’ve had to resign due to weekend obligations. The highway staff doesn’t have enough time off to get through this pandemic.
If the town of Woodstock Highway department goes to 50% work we will still be able to help our town by keeping roads safe and traversable. Half staff would put us at five a shift and all available as a call in for snow.
Supervisor McKenna has full authority to set a schedule for staff that resembles that of other towns and contain the spread of COVID, instead of offering minimum precautions.
We want what’s safe for our staff and right now we do not feel safe! For the better of our staff and the towns people, please help.
Cody Chase
Woodstock
Editor’s Note: Mr. Chase says “I received full consent from all road crew highway staff to send this letter.”
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