The views and opinions expressed in our letters section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hudson Valley One. You can submit a letter to the editor here.
Election letters
This week’s issue will be the last issue this year in which letters criticizing a candidate for office in the November 3 election will be printed. The purpose of this policy is to allow for a response prior to the election. If space allows,, letters endorsing a candidate which contain no criticism of his or her opponent will be accepted for publication in the October 28 issue. Thank you.
— Deb Alexsa, Editor
Dems need Senate control
Three things the Democrats can and must do to win and to flip/take control of the Senate and the presidency.
1. Establish a fund now! Immediately! To pay off the student debt. This would take a good deal more money than Bloomberg spent paying fines of ex-felons in Florida so they could vote. That was only chump change — or better yet — Trump change. So, to pay off student debt, include George Soros, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James and other high-paid athletes, actors, rappers, entertainers, lawyers, business executives, investors and those that are filthy rich.
This would insure young people voting Democratic in local, as well as national elections for years to come. And, if street action occurs after the election, which is likely, these students and ex-students will turn out.
2. Get one, two or three well-known Hispanics, such as Julian Castro to speak on the election circuit in support of Democratic Senate candidates, as well as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
3. Stop using the phrase “Defund the Police,” which turns off some voters. Instead, use “Refund and Reform” the police.
Bruce Grund
Kingston
Your vote must be counted
Due to the pandemic, since the summer we were urged to request an absentee ballot and mail it as soon as we can. It did make perfect sense then. But many of us don’t hesitate to walk into a store, so there should not be much concern about going to the polling stations to vote in person.
Mamy people already mailed their absentee ballots. But absentee ballots in Ulster County will not be counted until November 10 (to allow all absentee ballots to be received.
I urge everyone in New Paltz, especially those who already mailed their ballots, to go vote earl y October 24 through November 1 at the New Paltz Community Center or in person on November 3 at your usual polling station, to ensure that your vote will be counted as the election ends!
Misha Harnick
New Paltz
Greater strength in numbers
We should welcome the fact that six mid-Hudson Valley candidates running for the New York State Senate formed a coalition to make things better for the people of our region. There is greater strength in numbers.
State Senator Jen Metzger is one of the six, and that’s not surprising given how well she listens to and works with others. The group intends to promote local PPE (personal protective equipment) manufacturing and distribution. This addresses the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time enhances our local economy.
The group also plans to take on the backward way New York State funds schools and town governments through property taxes. Our property taxes are among the highest in the nation. and have driven away so many New Yorkers that we’ve lost congressional seats. Albany is supposed to support education through state income taxes, and if the state taxed income rather than the homes people live in, the burden would be shouldered much more fairly.
A vote for Jen Metzger is a vote for a politician who works hard for us.
Doris Chorny
Gardiner
Taking a gamble
Given the Trump administration’s failure to implement effective national policy against Covid-19, is their strategy actually to allow this deadly disease to spread, to create herd immunity rather than preventing infection and deaths until a vaccine is available?
There’s always a “tell.” Here people are thinking they’ll gamble with our chips. The Washington Post reported that in a 6/30/2020 email Dr. Paul Alexander, a Trump appointee to the Department of Health and Human Services, said “Importantly, having the virus spread among the young and healthy is one of the methods to drive herd immunity”.
Senator Rand Paul’s attempt to out-doctor Anthony Fauci in a 9/23/2020 Senate hearing included his suggestion that in New York City, “they’ve developed enough community immunity that they’re no longer having the pandemic because they have enough immunity in NYC to actually stop.” Dr. Fauci refuted Mr. Paul’s thesis.
HHS secretary Azar met on 10/5/2020 with Trump advisor Scott Atlas and three other proponents of building herd immunity through infection spread, and later tweeted that the meeting provided “strong reinforcement” of the administration’s strategy.
Publicly available information shows the costs of a strategy of immunity by infection:
1. The current US Covid-19 infection rate is estimated at a two to three percent national averagem with some areas as high as 20 percent.
2. Herd immunity requires an infection rate of 65 to 70 percent.
3. Several million Americans would die while we reach that level.
Modern nations and states like New York, beat the virus and reopen their economies with uniform policies aimed at keeping their citizens alive while vaccines are developed. Back in modern times, the world beat smallpox and polio with mitigations and vaccination.
We the people did not give the administration permission to send us as cannon fodder in a suicide charge at the virus so they could “win” with little effort or expense to their fraudulent economy of stock- market gains for the rich and McDonald’s jobs and consumer debt for us.
Rather than us dropping dead, they can.
Johannes Sayre
Kingston
Vote no on library bond issue
It’s easy to overlook historical resources until they’re gone. Tearing down the Woodstock Library building, if a $5.8 million bond issue to fund a new library is approved by the voters on November 3, would take with it one of the oldest structures in town. The original doctor’s office — decorated with stars representing the States of the Union — was built in 1812, according to the late historian Alf Evers as written in his book, Woodstock, History of an American Town. Another writer of Woodstock history, Neva Shultis, also specified 1812 as the construction date in her book, From Sunset to Cock’s Crow.
An Architectural and Historical Overview of the Woodstock Library, the report contained in the Library board’s own documentation supporting their proposal to demolish the old and build new, presents a thorough case for historical conservation until the end, when the consultants, Larson Fisher Associates, take a dizzying turn and conclude that there’s no history worth preserving about the existing library building.
I speak for myself and do not represent the views of any organization. Restore and renovate, don’t demolish the Woodstock Library. Turn over the ballot and vote no.
Olivia Tinker Twine
Woodstock
Vote yes New Paltz
This election season, New Paltz voters have the opportunity to flip the ballot and vote yes for Local Law No. 1 to establish a fund to protect land for clean drinking water, working farms, wildlife habitat and natural areas. This opportunity comes at a critical juncture in our town’s development trajectory. Demand for New Paltz real estate is at a record high and housing supply is very limited. For sale signs are popping up on vacant land all over the town. A new wave of development appears to be on the horizon. Which lands will be developed and which will we manage to save as green spaces for future generations to enjoy?
Back in 2007 on the eve of a similar referendum for an open space bond, a New Paltz Buildout and Fiscal Analysis (available on the town website) found that there were nearly 7,000 acres of land open to development in the town and village and that full build-out would result in approximately 3,000 new single-family homes. Minor zoning updates since 2007 have done little to change the potential for this future scenario. The fiscal analysis found that if the town were able to conserve 3,000 acres of land (through $8 million in bond spending), property owners would save on average $70 per year in taxes than compared with the build-out scenario — because land conservation doesn’t require any of the public services that residential developments do. It also bears considering that full build-out would have significant impacts to water resources, habitats and wildlife, not to mention traffic — and fundamentally change the rural character of our community.
Voting yes for Local Law No. 1 will enable New Paltz to invest in protection of the green spaces our community cherishes before it is too late. Revenue for the fund will come from a one-time 1.5% real estate transfer tax paid by buyers of New Paltz property. A proposed exemption set at the county median value ($245,000 in 2019) will benefit many first-time homebuyers and those at the lower end of the market. The law will not increase property taxes, and as the fiscal analysis showed, could in fact help keep taxes lower than the alternative.
In the 13 years since New Paltz voters approved the open space bond, development pressure has been low and the town, village and conservation partners managed to protect some very important places. But many treasured green spaces remain vulnerable. Local Law No. 1 will create a sustainable long-term revenue source for land conservation in New Paltz and will undoubtedly leverage substantial outside funding through partnerships. This is likely the most important vote you will ever have toward protecting New Paltz’s natural environment for future generations — so please, vote yes! As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future is literally in our hands to mold as we like. But we cannot wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is now.”
Ingrid Haeckel, Chair
Town of New Paltz
Environmental Conservation Board
Time to read the book
There is still time to read Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane, this year’s One-Book-One-New-Paltz selection. It’s a haunting tale — part reality, part fantasy — that takes us into a young boy’s inner world and leads us to reflect on our own understanding of reality, memory, childhood, and what it means to be human. For our schedule of events beginning Sunday, November 8, please go to our website: https://www.newpaltz.edu/benjamincenter/events/one-book-one-new-paltz/. We hope you will join us for one or more events. All are virtual and free to the public. Books are available in print or audio at local libraries and bookstores.
Myra Sorin
New Paltz
Funding SUNY and CUNY
As a New York resident, taxpayer and advocate for higher education, I write to strongly encourage you to carefully consider funding for SUNY and CUNY as we navigate these difficult times together. I understand that unprecedented budgetary issues have emerged on the heels of the current pandemic.
The governor’s office has discussed monumental cuts to public higher education as a way to address budget shortfalls. From my perspective, such an approach to addressing the budget will have adverse consequences for years to come.
Public higher education is, in so many ways, the backbone of the state of New York. Our educated workforce is essential for addressing issues such as industry, education, infrastructure and health. Without our educated workforce, our capacity to deal with the Covid pandemic, as just one example, would be nothing short of disastrous.
The proportion of citizens who hold college degrees is famously lower in the US than in other developed nations, with only about 30 percent of Americans holding four-year degrees, compared to nearly 60 percent in nations such as South Korea and Russia.
This under-education of Americans is not a small problem by any means. And it is without question that cutting funding for public higher education in New York will only exacerbate this problem. Further, in the long run, funding cuts to public higher education in New York will, without question, take away the American dream from thousands of young New Yorkers in the future.
None of us want that.
Of course, when it comes to budgets, we all must realize that money is a finite resource. We all know that money does not grow on trees. But it does grow in the investment accounts of the many billionaires who lay claim to residency in the Empire State.
Taxing the billionaires fairly would, clearly, have the capacity to help address the fiscal issues necessary to provide appropriate funding for public higher education in our beloved New York. Along with millions of New Yorkers, I would strongly support such an approach.
Glenn Geher
New Paltz
Thanks, Jen Metzger
As chair of the NYS Senate Agricultural Committee, Jen Metzger has played leading roles in protecting and fostering farming in New York. She fought to protect and expand farmers’ agricultural tax assessment in the event of a Covid-related sales decline and doubled the farm workforce retention credit from $600 to $1200 for eligible farm employers to claim a refundable tax credit for each farm employee who works 500 or more hours a year. She co-authored a letter to U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, urging that the USDA provide aid swiftly to NY dairy farmers adversely impacted by Covid-19. To encourage the development of hemp production in NYS, Metzger facilitated the hemp bill which creates a framework for production, processing and sale of hemp and CBD products. She joined with other legislators urging federal representatives to prioritize rural communities in the next federal stimulus package.
Metzger also demonstrated concern for the culture and conditions of rural communities. She expanded the Community Preservation Act to help communities to protect their unique natural, historic, agricultural and scenic venues and resources. She also has supported the development of rail trails in Sullivan and Orange counties.
At a time when too many in public office have failed to address the problems and concerns of the citizens they represent, Jen Metzger has stepped up to aid in finding solutions of rural and farmer challenges. Isn’t it nice to applaud our representative rather than complain? Thank you,, Senator Jen Metzger.
Glenn McNitt
New Paltz
Understanding reality
Probably some of the worst detrimental actions of the current administration in the White House is turning a blind eye to science. Back in February, our fake president knew that that Covid-19 disease was real and told Bob Woodward so in his interview as revealed in his book Rage, president Donald Trump admitted he knew weeks before the first confirmed US coronavirus death that the virus was dangerous, airborne, highly contagious and “more deadly than even your strenuous flus.
In spite of these revelations, Donald Trump continues to disparage his own scientists’ warnings to take precautions to keep one’s self safe. Trump is campaigning while he had the Covid-19 disease putting everyone near him in harms way like he did with the 34 people in the White House who are now infected.
Probably one of the most telling things about Trump’s mindset is when asked if having these political gatherings is unsafe he responded: “Oh no, I am at least 200 feet away.” This president could care less about the public being shoulder to shoulder in the cult-like crowds gathered to adore him.
An outcome of all this willful negligence is that the mainstream public has been confused. and some lost faith in the science that is in stark contrast to Trump’s magical thinking portrayed in his public statements.
This time around, let’s put someone in the White House who respects science as the global community’s understanding of reality and who will not promote unscientific notions for the sake of getting elected.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
CPF a superb proposal
I am writing in support of the Community Preservation Fund, a superb proposal whose time has come.
Those of us who live in New Paltz are here for many reasons, but major ones are aspects of the environment that affect the quality of life: the historic and quirky character of the town, the public space resources, the local farms, the views, the public amenities. One could look around and say: Why do we need Local Law Number One now? We already have a healthy and aesthetically gorgeous community.
But wise actions in the past do not ensure the future. The town and village need resources to prevent sprawl and maintain the quality of life (which affects growth, jobs, property values and tourism).
This proposal is a brilliant way to do that. It sets aside resources to protect open space and preserve our unique history and it doesn’t burden taxpayers. Growth is inevitable and to be desired, but if New Paltz is to grow in a sane manner, we must protect clean water, farms, wildlife habitat, open space and historic resources.
Open space is good for all of us, and this fund is a unique way to assure the resources to protect it in the face of the increased pressures of development. It offers a long-term source of revenue to meet a long-term challenge. I urge everyone to vote yes.
Judy Gueron
New Paltz
Loan closet giveaway
The Woodstock Loan Closet is overstocked again!
We provide gently used walkers, crutches, canes, commodes and rollators (walkers with seats) to folks who have a temporary need for them. An accident, perhaps, or an operation.
Right now, our barn is overflowing so we have to give some away. First come, first served. Plan ahead! We are giving away: eight commodes, six straight wooden canes, twelve walkers, six rollators ($10 charge for these, they were expensive!) and tons of crutches!
We’re located off Route 212, behind the rescue squad, in the shed. By appointment only. Call and reserve your choices: 417-8989.
Pauline Criscimagna
Woodstock
A letter to a bully
I received an anonymous letter on October 13 about two of my lawn signs in front of my home. It accused me of supporting abortion and being a hypocrite. I would like to address both these issues.
The Trump sign indicated that not voting would result in unwanted presidencies. It had nothing to do with abortion. The other sign was that hate does not live here. Instead of ringing my doorbell to have a dialogue of our different perspectives, someone chose to hide behind anonymity — no return address or signature, which demonstrates all the earmarks of a bully. I am a resident of New Paltz and a citizen. I will not be bullied or cowered into taking down my signs. I too stand by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Elizabeth Lee
New Paltz
Healthcare and education
I am writing to encourage people to support State Senator Jen Metzger, running for reelection in District 42. Since she was first elected in 2018, she has written 29 bills that have been signed into law, including four just since the start of the 2020 session. This is a strong record for a first-term Senator. In this letter I would like to talk about two personal reasons why I am supporting Senator Metzger this year.
First is her position on healthcare. This has been an issue for me since I was a young child, seeing my parents who had to give up their dreams so they could get low-paying and exhausting jobs just to get health care benefits. (Dad wanted to open a bookstore and mom wanted to be an artist.) For 20 years they waited for universal healthcare, eventually working themselves to death before the ACA took effect in 2014. But even the ACA leaves some people behind, so Senator Metzger is a cosponsor of the New York Health Act, which would provide simple, straightforward universal coverage to everyone in the state without the hassle of fighting an insurance company for benefits. If healthcare could finally be easy and automatic, many more people could follow their own dreams in life.
Second is her position on education. Senator Metzger and I were both the product of public schools, and we raised ourselves out of poverty by working hard to get a good education. Like me, she has taught at a public college, and she knows the importance of higher education in opening opportunities for young adults. Brooklyn College, where I teach mathematics, is ranked among the top colleges in the country for social mobility: lifting students out of poverty and into the middle class.
Senator Metzger is a strong legislator who cares deeply about her constituents and about everyone living in the state. She is doing an excellent job so far, and very much deserves our vote. I hope you agree.
Stephen Preston
New Paltz
Denial is a plague
Most readers will agree that denial of humanity’s role in heating the earth’s climate and denial of the need to take personal measures to thwart a dangerous virus reflect anti-social impulses that defy the logic of science. I’m writing to argue that denying Woodstock’s need for a new library is comparably antisocial and dysfunctional.
Having vowed as a town newbie very early in 2015 to shun what seemed a never-ending debate over the old white structure on Library Lane, I remain fond of some people on both sides of the issue. Yet I find myself contributing to the fund to build a new library.
How did I get here? I have attended one very good public debate that ably presented both sides, one meeting held to oppose the library board’s current plan and one official library board meeting at which pro- and anti-board members of the public were crammed between book stacks, barely able to reach the front to speak.
Thanks to Spectrum’s myriad surprises, I have also availed myself of the library’s Wi-Fi and power plugs in order to perform my job remotely in all seasons, which is how I came into personal contact with the colorful crud oozing from beneath this decrepit building.
Woodstock is a wealthy town whose taxes are in fair measure paid by New York City’s water system. It is an aging town whose properties are increasingly rented out or used only occasionally by their owners. If not for tourists, we would rarely see many kids or teens on our streets. This town needs young families. It must build a more dynamic future for them, as Saugerties does and has done with its excellent new library.
To insist on maintaining a ramshackle building that’s awaiting its final flood is not historical preservation. It’s not mere penny pinching. It’s not wise. It displays contempt for Woodstock’s future as a breathing, thriving community. What I saw at the meeting that opposed construction of a new library was a group of generally older people championing alternative plans that many would never support financially if their bluff were called.
It’s always easiest to rally people against something. It’s called denial and it’s wrecking this country. Please support construction of a library for this town’s social future before climate change forces the issue and leaves us with nothing.
Peter Christian Hall
Bearsville
The Democratic oath
Please take the pledge below very seriously, share it widely, and strongly encourage all your registered Democratic family members, friends and associates to do the same.
“I solemnly promise myself, my children, my family and my local community, that I will vote for Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president. I also promise to stay totally focused on voting in the upcoming election and to refuse all pulls to be distracted by whatever is going on at election time. In addition, I will make myself available as needed, to encourage and assist other registered Democrats to get out and vote. I understand that the continuation and the health of our democratic way of life is at stake in this crucial election, and I will not allow any personal frustrations, disappointments or confusions to derail my promise and commitment. I will vote in November, and I will vote blue, no matter what!”
Marty Klein
Woodstock
A labor of love
Saugerties, a town that always would vote their school budgets down when I lived there, actually came together and voted to double the size of their library. They even bought neighboring houses and razed them to make a parking lot. Go figure!!
Such a shame that a few Woodstockers, who have negative input and false information, are working so hard against this vitally needed and wanted new construction. This careful planning has been a labor of love on the part of every member of the library board.
We all voted to give this board our confidence in their decision to do what is right for this library. My husband and I have been to most of the meetings and all of the presentations, and we can honestly say this project is of the utmost importance and vital to our community. Have faith and trust in your library board.
Vote for the bond on the back of the ballot. You won’t be sorry!
Linda and Terence Lover
Woodstock
Passionate abput her causes
I write in support of Jen Metzger’s reelection to the New York State Senate. Jen is sincere, intelligent, energetic and a good listener. She is very effective as our representative. Since she was elected in our district, many bills she sponsored were signed into law with wide bipartisan support, including a bill increasing high-speed Internet access in rural communities and promoting the use of electric vehicles among others. She is passionate about her causes, but seems to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, which is refreshing in this day of political division.
Her commitment to the environment is one reason I will be voting for her. She has introduced bills to reduce emissions from trucks on the roads and has passed bills that will protect us from toxic and carcinogenic chemicals.
She is a constant presence in our district, seeming to keep up with local issues and showing up at all different kinds of events, even outside of the election cycle, getting to know her constituents. I am proud to cast my vote for Jen Metzger, and hope whoever is reading this will vote for her, too.
Laura Wong-Pan
Gardiner
Corrupted environmentalists
The opening of the Minnewaska Visitor Center is another example of the unbridled and unrestrained attempt by recreationalists to kill with kindness the once-pristine Catskill Mountain region with hordes of tourists, dogs and unfettered access to the delicate ecologies that are fast disappearing from view. Even though I am just a retired ecologist and naturalist who has only lived in the Hudson Valley area for a few years, I have seen first-hand the money corrupted environmentalists, (with whom I was once a part of since the First Earth Day in 1970), succumb to the recreation mantra of tourism, recreation and big business.
The 5600-square-foot visitor-center monstrosity in the heart of the ecologically vulnerable Shawawangunks is just one more human footprint landing on our Catskill environment will only hasten the impact of cars, air pollution, crowds and trail erosion that is now devastating the delicate ecologies, micro-niches and protected “preserves” that was once a beautiful attribute of the Catskill Mountains area.
The “Tragedy of the Commons” is killing off what remains of an environmental legacy which the famed local naturalist John Burroughs once wrote about a century ago, and which has now become just another manscape of manicured lawns, park benches and parking lots.
When will true environmental educators come to the forefront and protect our wild places from the ravages of the recreation industry in this Trumpian era of ecocide and let nature for nature’s sake left in peace?
Victor C Capelli
Town of Ulster
Protect our future
Recognizing that we are imperfect human beings, our Founding Fathers established a Constitution which was formed to protect our rights from foreign interference, government power overreach, corrupt and abusive leaders by granting we the people with the right, privilege, power and responsibility to vote.
Today we as a people and nation, are attacked externally and internally by forces using the power and seductions of government and political parties, using clever advertising and corrupted media, to have us sacrifice our rights guaranteed by the gift of our Constitution.
It is our responsibility as citizens to carefully evaluate the corrupted force of politicians who are supported by powerful individuals, ignore the bombardment of false advertisement images, and consider the character and history of candidates who support our gift of our Constitution and who first and foremost accept that they are chosen to be the servants of our people and not of outside forces.
It is our future and that of those who follow who will be affected by our choice and willingness to vote.
Paul Jankiewicz
Ulster Park
I’m voting for the library
I love the little old library building as I’m driving past it — no question that it is very picturesque. And if all I ever did was drive past it, I might be on the Vote No side of this issue. If I hadn’t attended events with a max of about 70 people, including those standing at the back, squashed (hello Covid!) into the only space available for events, I’d vote no.If I’d never seen the art-book collection moldering and spent time in that ugly art-books room, nor noticed the inadequate space for the staff, nor had friends who can’t go into the building because of the mold issues or who can’t take advantage of certain library offerings because they can’t climb stairs, I’d vote no If I didn’t care a whit about the younger generations coming up, for sure. But I don’t have those “advantages,” so I am voting yes.
Claire Lambe
Woodstock
Not bad for a part-timer
At a recent Woodstock Town Board meeting [supervisor Bill] McKenna took it upon himself to add to the meeting agenda, since the youth center is closed, a resolution that would allow the current youth center’s assistant recreation director to work for the town’s maintenance department as a means of keeping him employed.
When the town board members heard the resolution, this question arose: what if the youth center was allowed to open at certain times? McKenna responded that the director would be “ready to immediately be available to reopen the community center.”
This in a way is similar to our part-time supervisor’s position. McKenna, who is also a part-time carpenter, has previously stated, “I usually get in the office about seven in the morning for a couple hours, then I’ll go swing a hammer midday.”
As with the rec director, although McKenna’s timing might be more critical, if his presence is needed, he could potentially be “ready to immediately be available” to respond to emergencies or town business that would require his presence.
However, unlike the rec director, his work schedule was never questioned. According to the proposed budget, McKenna’s annual salary will be almost $60,000. Not bad for a part-time gig!
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Our villain’s actions
In this time of political chaos, when Americans are forced to think of fascists, nationalists and extremists, we now have this issue arise out of the mouth of our current leader which is something grimmer and more horrific. Trump’s plan is to steer our attention from Biden’s lead, and is instead to remain in the headlines, by threatening to undermine the elections.
Believe him when he tells you who he really is. We have all fallen through the trapdoor, folks! There is no more time for silence. Trump is no longer attacking his political opponent. He is attacking our American election process and it’s downright dangerous. Yeah, he dismisses the notion that he could lose the election fairly. Instead he wants to steal it!
The media has to stop giving oxygen to the current buffoon in the White House and we need to address real issues and concerns of every citizen and voter. He cannot remain if he is defeated. He actually said, “Get rid of the ballots” for a continuation of his presidency.
He wants to depress the Democratic vote enough to let him declare victory. Why doesn’t he believe in democracy? Trump is a person who shows contempt for constitutional norms after swearing on a bible inauguration day in upholding the constitution.
Don’t give this lunatic air time with his madness! The media fell for his noise in 2016 and it is falling again!. We should stop asking the question, “Will you transfer power peacefully if you lose the election?” It validates that he has such a choice and keeps it in the news, which encourages his base to feel like they don’t have to accept the outcome of the election.
He is a Putin wannabe, and autocracy is his goal. Trump is the American people’s worst enemy. Trump did not pay for or build that White House. He is only a renter and when your lease is up and the landlord doesn’t want to rent to you any more.
You pack your crap up and leave. If not, there will be a national public eviction.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Realtors and residents
I grew up in New Paltz, and my twin sons are fifth generation in our neighborhood. Covid has made it painfully clear how important it is for humans to get out in nature. The virus has also spurred intense interest in upstate living from New York City and elsewhere.
Thus, there has never been a more important time to vote yes on Local Law No. 1. Our natural resources are a huge part of what makes New Paltz (and the Hudson Valley) a wonderful place to live and a premier tourist destination. For better or worse, green communities that go above and beyond in protecting their environment only receive more tourism and real-estate interest.
Thus, residents and realtors alike should support this Environmental Preservation Fund as an awesome and elegant way to make a difference on the ground. It will allow us to raise significant financial resources to implement projects that protect the natural beauty of our community, without any new tax burden for our residents.
So this election, vote yes to Local Law No. 1. It will be the only ballot proposition on the back of your ballot. Thank you for reading.
Libby Zemaitis
New Paltz
A treasure lost?
The anti-new library folks talk only of the “historic” building never of what it contains. They tend to be either a) no new taxers or b) nostalgia nuts.
What distinguishes the Woodstock Library from other libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System is that it holds the largest collection of art books. It’s both a symbol of and a research source for Woodstock as the Colony of the Arts.
How long will this treasure exist? This collection is now and will continue to be threatened if something is not done to preserve it. Because of the conditions in this rotting building, over time mildew and humidity will reduce the color illustrations in these art books to brown muddiness. Older printing techniques may preserve some of the color longer, but newer techniques are not as long-lasting. And art books have a limited printing and are hard to replace. Yes, digital images are now available, but nothing demonstrates an artist’s range as a monograph with many color images and commentary on the work.
What happens if the bond issue fails? Probably nothing, and so the devastation of this resource will continue. But a library is more than its collection. It’s a bulwark of democracy, a temple of truth, a container for community, never forgetting that in Woodstock’s case its also an archive of art writing and representation needed to maintain its sobriquet as indeed a colony of the arts.
Woodstockers, vote yes on the bond issue.
Ty Castellarin
Zena
An easy choice
Talk about phony. Mike Martucci has ads, flyers and billboards running that use photos of fake “police officers” who support him. Hmmm, does that mean he couldn’t get any real ones? This would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
Real relationships matter in our communities, and voters can see right through deceitful stunts like this. But dishonesty is Martucci’s whole brand! He’s a farmer with exceptionally clean hands, and a safety advocate who couldn’t keep the young children passengers riding in his bus company’s buses safe — 107 accidents?! Enough with sleazy politics!!!
Jen Metzger is authentic and fighting for all of us, and you’ll never see her superimposing fake models into her mailers because she’s met the real people standing in the photos beside her, and they respect her immensely.
Ellen Rocco
New Paltz
Voting rights on the line
I’ve volunteered on Election Day for years now, helping voters exercise their constitutional rights. When I answer voter protection hotlines or help fellow citizens overcome logistical hurdles to casting votes, I never ask which candidate the person supports.
Americans — and New Yorkers in particular, I believe — are not supposed to agree on all the issues; but we must ensure that every person with the right to vote has a fair and equal chance of having their voice heard in local races, up in Albany and down in Washington, DC.
That’s why I’m looking forward to casting my vote (during the early voting period that starts on October 24) for State Senator Jen Metzger. I know she’s done a lot of environmental work and supports small businesses, like the one my husband runs from our home. But I am especially pleased to see how she has advanced legislation to expand upstate voting hours, make it easier for New Yorkers to vote during the Covid period and assist young people in casting their first ballots as soon as they’re legally able to do so.
It’s hard to imagine how any elected official could oppose these measures with a straight face. That’s the whole point of democracy. And since Senator Metzger is an advocate for real democratic values, I’m a proud supporter.
Barbara Graves-Poller
New Paltz
Democrats repeat
In 1944, the Democrats nominated Franklin Roosevelt for a fourth term even though they knew he was sick and dying. They switched vice presidents as they felt Henry Wallace was too radical. FDR died 82 days after starting his fourth term. During this time, he met with Russian dictator Joseph Stalin at Yalta, where Stalin took advantage of the sick and dying Roosevelt and got him to concede Eastern Europe to Russian. Now 76 years later, they’re at it again.
Joe Biden is in no mental shape to be president, once again he seemed confused and said he’s running for the Senate instead of president, forgetting Mitt Romney’s name and saying Romney was a senator when he was a governor running against president Obama.
Not long ago he referred to the Harris-Biden administration. The Democrats do their best to keep him hidden and not allowing to take questions from the press. Now when he’s asked about packing the Supreme Court, he refuses to answer saying the public has no right to know. The real reason he won’t answer is they haven’t told him what to say.
Can you imagine him trying to deal with the Russians, Iranians and China. If he’s elected? I wonder how long the Democrats will let him serve before they find a way to ease him out and install Harris.
Assuming Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed to the Supreme Court, to be assured they have a majority, they will have to add four new justices to bring the court to 13 members. Now there’s a lucky number.
John Habersberger
New Paltz
Library for a new world
I believe we are moving into a new world. The coronavirus has caused people to take action, leaving cities and moving to less restrictive, safe environments. It makes sense. Woodstock is seeing a resurgence in home buyers.
Social distancing and masks are becoming social models of the future. We know all the analytical reasons and facts for a new library that are included in all our reports since 2007 on the library’s website woodstock.org. and on newlibrarywoodstock.org. The need for a bigger building with more space for social distancing is imperative. A new building will also include better air circulation and temperature control, no mold, better lighting and be fully ADA accessible. The library space is so tight now it barely leaves any room for social distancing.
We want the library to be an inviting new, clean, appropriately structured environment that will allow people to enter and enjoy the services without feeling restricted in an undersized, potentially more hazardous and risky building. The library director and staff have worked tirelessly to provide safe services with curbside pickup or walk-up window, limited occupancy for browsing and computer use and virtual programs for all ages. The library is following the prescribed rules and policies set forth by the governor and board of education.
There are members of the community who have opposed a new library for years and insist on creating lies about the condition, money being spent and spinning misinformation about anything they think will raise negative concern. We need a new library! It is simply common sense to see the best solution is a new library for a new world! Please turn over your ballot and vote yes for the library bond on November 3.
Barry Miller, Vice President
Woodstock Library Board
Woodstock
Combat climate change
As a local mother, cofounder and task force member of Climate Smart Gardiner, I am tremendously thankful to live in a community that is represented by State Senator Jen Metzger.
Jen Metzger is one of the most down to earth, humble and hardworking people you will ever meet. When you speak with her, you know she cares about your concerns and that she and her staff will make every effort to address those concerns. My own experience with Jen Metzger starts from when she helped our little Climate Smart Gardiner committee get off the ground. This was before she ran for State Senate. and our conversations were encouraging and informative. She is someone who has worked in the environmental field for decades and I continue to be grateful to her for her willingness to share her knowledge and expertise as we worked on making Gardiner a Climate Smart Community.
Most politicians still drive more traditional ICE or Internal Combustion Engine vehicles, which happen to be gas-guzzling, particulate-spewing, carbon-emitting machines. Jen Metzger, on the other hand, drives an electric vehicle. She recognizes how important it is that New Yorkers transition to electrified transportation in the coming years if we are to make any significant reduction in NY’s carbon emission rates, and she demonstrates how we need to act on climate change and live a cleaner, greener lifestyle.
Senator Metzger is facing a very tight race, and if you care about the issue of climate change, you cannot ask for a better leader. She is uniquely qualified to work on important legislation that will reduce New York’s greenhouse gas emissions. She is the state senator who will make every effort to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a habitable planet.
Kim Mayer
Gardiner
Return decency to America
I recently came across a video of a truly great performance by Aretha Franklin at the White House. This obviously was not at the current White House but occurred during the previous administration. The previous administration celebrated and promoted the vibrant cultural history of this great country — all the time. They promoted decency (and were decent) and supported the nation’s natural desire for peace and equality and transmitted those good vibes across the nation and indeed the world.
Only good things could come from this. Now, instead of Aretha Franklin, we have white supremacists in the White House.
If America is to remain great, it needs to embrace its profound cultural diversity and its expressions and continue to encourage decency and promote peace and equality. Now all we have coming from the White House is Twitter Terror, which has become a black hole trying to swallow up much of the goodness of this country for their own profit or perverse pleasure.
Call him what you will — Liar in Chief, Chief Guttersnipe, or choose from many more well-deserved names. They all apply. He’s got to go.
Michelle Obama told us to vote “as if our lives depend upon it,” as surely they do. How many more will die because of the indifference and ineptitude of this president to the pandemic?
I urge you to bring decency and capability back to the leadership of this country and support Biden/Harris and return Antonio Delgado back to the House.
Truth over lies.
John Steele Jr.
Highland
Other kinds of learning
It would seem that Covid-19 would have open the doors to more positive and refreshing ways to educate our children. I am still wondering why we are all going back to the way things were or a partial version of it when there could be more creativity:
More parents participating once a week sharing a language or culture experience or craft?
Maybe children twelve and older have different and later start times?
Maybe we utilize the new rail-trails as science learning spaces and exercise the same time while doing outside healthy learning, especially during Covid-19 being inside is expensive for cleaning and not enough ventilation.
I am writing this not as a complaint. W but as we all do have choices and we could make a better world for our children. Farm land and other properties could be used with maybe open yurts, for example
Learning in the younger grades could be more hands-on and use sticks and stones for writing and shaping letters and shapes. Maybe that much wi-fi is not good for their minds as well. Ypu have to be physical before you can be mental. We need to see the whole body spirit movement come alive in the this era.
Sasha Sun
Kingston
Too controversial?
Last week we spent the better part of two days half-listening to the confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination for Supreme Court justice. (It’s amazing what a pandemic can do to change one’s lifestyle.) We heard the potential threats to many things we hold near and dear, such as affordable healthcare, women’s rights to choose and gun-control measures.
And when Senator [Kama]la Harris asked what Amy thought about climate change — a moment in which we thought she could regain some credibility with us — her disappointing response was: “It’s a hard question to answer because it’s such a controversial topic. I like clean air and water.”
This was almost verbatim how Trump responded during the presidential debate to the same question. She then proceeded to give a watered-down answer as to whether she believed in science.
Amy is a devout Catholic, and Pope Francis, the head of her church, feels that it’s anything but controversial in his 184-page climate change encyclical, “Laudato si” in 2015. This may be summed up by the statement, “The warming of the planet is a symptom of a greater problem: the developed world is indifferent to the destruction of the planet as they pursue short-term economic gains.”
Last August, he also railed against those who were not doing enough, and even encouraged people and corporations to divest from fossil fuel companies!
Wouldn’t you think, with the pope backing her up, that Amy could have risked a more powerful statement than, “I like clean air and water”?
Dan and Ann Guenther
New Paltz
Building a better library
Woodstockers hold our library near and dear to our hearts. There is a narrative that the love of the building is as important as the love of the library that it houses. This story is persistent but when looking back on ten years of dreaming, asking and planning to build a better library, the majority of the Woodstock community has called for a expanded library structure to be built.
Tasked with fulfilling the community vision of building a better library environment, the Woodstock Library board of trustees has listened to staff, patrons, task forces and consultants. They have studied and weighed all incoming opinion and factual information. In the spring of 2018 the community-elected library board of trustees voted to construct a new, green library building customized to service Woodstock’s current facility use and future programming aspirations.
Change is hard.
Nowhere is this more true than in tight-knit communities. When a population identifies itself so lovingly with their town, the buildings in the town become community members. Clearly, the decision to change the appearance of the Woodstock Library has been an excruciating decision for the entire community. Every single Woodstocker has sentimental feelings for the current building, including library staff, board members and volunteers. We believe that the November 2018 referendum vote showed understanding and community support in trusting the governance guiding our library into the future.
There is excitement and inspiration surrounding the plans to build a better library together with the support of our community. This is an opportunity for all voices to be heard in creating a tasteful modern library constructed from the ground up to serve the needs of all members of the community, now and in future generations.
The new library building has been envisioned as a bustling, vibrant hub of knowledge. There will be space for information, learning, creativity and collaboration. It is being designed to be 100 percent ADA-accessible, as well as a model of energy-efficient construction befitting Woodstock’s commitment as a climate-smart community.
The vision that is held most dear by proponents of the new library is that it will become as beloved of a building as the current one has been. We know this because a healthy, well-equipped, spacious new building will enable the library to continue its storied history as an institution that serves and welcomes all of our community.
New memories will be created by our Woodstock community in the present. Some day in the future the children of today will bring their grandchildren to learn in this beloved space. What an opportunity to let future generations know what we did together in response to the Covid-19 virus.
On Tuesday, November 3, we will be voting for president of the United States. On the back of the ballot is a referendum to approve a library bond. I urge our Woodstock community to join together and vote yes for proposition 1 to construct a new library and remember library taxes to pay for the bond will not be levied until 2022 at the earliest.
Kevin Kraft, Chair
Communications Committee
Woodstock Public Library District
Woodstock
What about herd immunity?
Recently, a paper was presented called the Great Barrington Declaration. This paper endorses allowing herd immunity to control Covid-19 in the United States. While the paper has some good points, the main point is misdirected and here is why.
Herd immunity refers to immunity obtained when a large portion of the population has contracted an illness, thus protecting the rest of the population. That portion of the population that needs to be infected to sustain immunity for the rest is around 70 percent. This assumes long-term immunity is established after having an infection, which still is unclear with Covid-19.
The statistics are daunting – 70 percent of the United States population is about 200 million. The death rate of Covid-19 is agreed to be between one and three percent. Let us use one percent to be conservative. Using these numbers, the population in the United States which would die in order for the rest to achieve herd immunity would be around two million.
Of course, people who get Covid-19 don’t just drop dead. They go to the hospital and are admitted at a cost of somewhere between $25,000 and $80,000 per patient. For argument’s sake, let’s use $30,000 per patient as our figure, to be conservative.
So not only is there an enormous cost of lives, the financial cost of allowing herd immunity to control Covid-19 would be at least $80 billion. Unfortunately, our hospital system would not be able to keep up with the need for beds, so many people would die at home and the suffering would likely be indescribable.
Herd Effect. A great concept. Unfortunately, not a practical approach to the pandemic. Do what health experts recommend — wear masks, socially distance yourselves and stay safe.
Stephen Weinman, M.D.
FirstCare Medical Center
Highland
Support for farmers
The farms of the Hudson Valley are both a way and a means of life employing tens of thousands of people and feeding many times more. Mike Martucci’s family has farmed these lands for decades, and Mike continues this tradition to this day.
At one time, the state legislature strongly represented our farmers, but as the legislature became a full-time job, fewer and fewer everyday people participated in governing our state. Most legislators today are out of touch with their constituents and communities as evidenced by our state senate’s agriculture chair not even being a farmer. This has to change, and farmers need a real voice in Albany.
Mike Martucci built and ran a successful business that employed more than 550 of our neighbors. Mike Martucci grew up on a farm and works the land to this day. Mike Martucci and his wife started a family foundation that supports our farmers and the betterment of our communities.
Mike Martucci is the proven leader that farmers need in Albany to undo the damage caused by New York City politicians who do not know the difference between a tractor and a combine, nor what it takes to put food on our tables.
Dave Davis
Shawangunk
Support for the CPF
The Village of New Paltz Environmental Policy Board encourages you to vote yes in support of Local Law No. 1 to create a “Community Preservation Fund” this election year. This ballot initiative, if passed, will set aside 1.5 percent of the value of any real-estate transfers over the median county value of $245,000 to be used for the conservation of natural and historic resources in our town. This solution prevents a property-tax increase. Please visit townofnewpaltz.org to learn about the proposed real-estate transfer tax.
Our priority as the Environmental Policy Board is to protect the natural resources which define our town, promote the health of critical habitats, and shield against the imminent danger of climate change. We have seen the enormous success of conservation efforts that engage the community such as the River-to-Ridge Trail, the Mohonk Testimonial Gateway and the Millbrook Preserve. Development and climate change will degrade these spaces over time.
Through the voluntary purchase of more conservation easements, we can ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the same open spaces, nature preserves, wildlife refuges, vital wetland areas that we all love and, at times, take for granted today. We can also make this promise to be good stewards of quickly vanishing habitats for threatened and endangered species such as bald eagles, migratory fish and peregrine falcons. It is impossible to capture the scope of the Community Preservation Plan in one letter, but please explore the plan in detail here: https://www.townofnewpaltz.org/community-preservation-plan-task-force/pages/plan-maps-and-more.
Like us, many of our neighbors choose to live in New Paltz because we know how rare it is to see this kind of harmony between our town and nature. We must not take this for granted and we hope you will embrace this opportunity to invest in our community’s future.
Fiona Bohan
New Paltz
If I had been a teacher
A month from now we will have voted and either both sides will be challenging the results or one side will be declared to have the most votes. Notice I did not say declared the winner. There is no winning.
Four years ago on the day after the election my grandchild was a senior in middle school. That class could vote for the first time this year.
It had been certain that Hillary Clinton would win. Of course, she didn’t. Students were outraged. Some said, “Kill the president!”
Apparently, no teacher challenged this, and many were unprofessional in their reactions to the election result. One teacher kicked the desk!
Today, looking back through the years, my instinctive reaction would have been right. No matter what subject I taught, I would have tackled the problem head on. “Do you realize the president has a son your age in middle school? You are saying someone should murder his father. I want you to consider this. I know not everyone has a father living at home. I want each of you to choose a man who is important in your life — a father, grandfather, uncle, big brother or adult friend. Your assignment is to tell what is important to you about him and how you would feel if he were murdered. Unless you have a note from your parent, it is to be on my desk in the morning.
“The purpose of this assignment is for you to consider the importance of a life close to you. Your paper is evidence you have done this. It will be returned to you as your private, unread diary. The only grade is 100 percent for the paper or zero for no paper (without a parent’s note).”
A note of explanation would go home that day, assuring the parent it was not political and was of my own creation, not school-generated. My concern is the knee jerk reaction of violence and I hope realizing this, will lead to discussions of more acceptable ways of coping.
I would have asked for a teacher’s meeting that day, expressed my opinion, and resigned. There would have been no way for me to be accepted and to continue in that atmosphere.
As adults, we have failed the children by the role models we have provided. Young people are paying attention. We have murder, looting, rioting, burning, vitriol and disrespect for authority. Where will we be in four more years when that youngest class in middle school will vote?
Martha Pearson
Kingston
Support future renovation
I urge Woodstock taxpayers not to support funding the building proposal put forth by the Woodstock Library trustees that will demolish the Woodstock Library building and cost taxpayers $7 million. Instead, support a future renovation and addition.
Woodstock cannot fail to create a functional, safe and modern library facility. A renovation of the front half of our library with a new two-story addition has many benefits. A design such as this will: Cost the taxpayers less with a more sustainable design. Preserve the scale of the library site and the trees. The deeper excavation of new construction is known to damage tree roots. Maintain the architectural character of Woodstock as required by the Hamlet Preservation Overlay District in which the library sits. Save an iconic town landmark deeply embedded in Woodstock’s history, cultural identity and the personal lives of many Woodstockers. Create safer traffic conditions and more parking on Library Lane.
Why build such a big library if it’s inconvenient and unsafe to get to and without adequate parking? Be ecological in design and materials. Why demolish and discard materials we already have?
Offer a more cost-effective and efficient transition period during the process of moving from the present library to future library. Provide the means for a community compromise between “renovation” and “new construction” with open interior spans and meeting rooms in the new addition.
Vote no on the bond on the back of your November ballot. Support a future renovation and addition for a beautiful and modern Woodstock Library.
Patricia Jackson
Woodstock
Vote to fund a CPP
On the back of New Paltz ballots for the November 3 election is a proposed real-estate transfer tax to fund a Community Preservation Plan to benefit all town and village residents. Estimated revenue on property sales prices above exemption of the first $245,000, is $180,000 a year to a new Community Preservation Fund. It would be used to buy or protect open spaces of scenic and environmental value to all residents, to protect wetlands, water quality and working farms, and public access to parks, nature preserves and recreation areas. The fund would also attract matching funds from federal, state and non-profits like the Open Space Institute and Scenic Hudson.
This concept has proved successful in the nearby Dutchess County Town of Red Hook over the past ten years, producing $2.4 million to protect 1800 acres of farmland and open spaces, while real-estate transactions have increased every year.
The NY State Real Estate Association in Albany has sent out false claims opposing this transfer tax as a permanent property tax increase for all taxpayers. It is not. A real-estate transfer tax is a one-time closing fee, paid only by the buyer, not by all taxpayers. But it will benefit all taxpayers and residents of New Paltz forever.
Opposition to this proposal reminds me of opposition 30 years ago from land owners adjacent to the then-new Wallkill Valley Land Trust rail-trail, fearing hikers would rob their homes. Today the rail-trail is a safe and popular public recreation space, and adjacent landowners list their rail-trail location as a major asset when they want to sell their homes.
All of our homes and businesses in New Paltz will be more valuable if we vote to approve a new real-estate transfer tax, or closing fee, to fund a new Community Preservation Plan.
Jim Ottaway, Jr.
A founding director of the WVLT
New Paltz
A vote for Woodstock’s future
I believe in Woodstock as the Colony of the Arts. Creativity thrives here and our economy is resilient because of it. We need a library that ensures a future for our town’s unique creative legacy.
A beautiful, full-service library building is ready to go. What will it cost us? 86% of taxpayers will pay less than $10 a month. (61% of us will pay under $7 a month.) That’s a bargain for a building that will serve our town for 75 years or more. It’s certainly not the dire “tax hike” opponents tried to scare us with.
Opponents distract voters with a low-ball design as if it would be built tomorrow if you vote no. It won’t. If you vote no, we start over from square one. That means years more of political wrangling while an unhealthy library sits there. And then what? Years later, another bond vote for four or five or six million dollars at higher rates! We can have a great library by 2023. Let’s do this now while rates are low.
Anyone who drives by the library and thinks it’s “right-size and quaint” needs to know: that ramshackle building is not right-size or quaint for anyone inside it. It’s cramped, dark, moldy and energy-inefficient. Renovating any part of it is a waste of tax dollars. No materials will be salvageable. Let’s put our tax dollars into a new building designed from inception to be a full-service library.
If we vote yes and the bond passes, Woodstock will have a new library by 2023. It will be clean, green, spacious, full of natural light and built solidly enough to serve us for decades. I ask fellow voters to end the wrangling and vote yes for the bond on the back of your ballot!
Tim Moore
Woodstock
My choice on the library
As we approach the election, I want to say, to all the people working with the Library Alliance, thank you for taking up this cause. There would be seemingly no alternatives without the work of those who care about all of it. These are people who care about the library, the environment and the charming Town of Woodstock, as well as containing our taxes.
Like all of us, I’ve received the half-dozen or so mailings from the library, bolstering the board’s decisions. The letter from Ms. Kerr was almost disturbing. All the huge benefits she claims starting with a figure of 107,000 visits. It’s an unlikely number, which would mean between 40 and 50 visits or more, per hour, for each hour the library is open every single day. Apparently, some people have been very busy. They should install a camera to record it all.
Ms. Kerr says, as if to threaten, “If the bond vote fails, the community will continue to have the current building.” The tone feels creepy, and it’s kind of sad. Back in 2017, there were several options on the bonding survey. By far, the largest share, 51 percent of voters taking the survey asked for addition and renovation options. While 29 percent wanted new construction, only about 20 percent wanted to keep the current building with or without renovation.
I will not feel guilty, or that I am missing out on something by voting no. I won’t yield to pressure, framed information or scare tactics. I am not going to worry about the waste of over $500,000. It was not my choice and the money is gone. I’m certain that a nice, clean, expanded and affordably renovated Woodstock Library can and should exist.
I stated my preference, and it was not heeded. That is not my fault. I will wait to see what happens and leave it to the trustees to figure it all out.
Anne Carlton
Willow
Join the family! 
