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.
Quarryville radio tower
The Ulster County proposal to construct a 180-foot public safety radio tower on property it owns in Quarryville is causing alarm and resentment in many residents of our little community. The presentation made to the Saugerties Planning Board on October 20 was attended by a large number of residents who expressed the concerns which I am summarizing in this letter.
1) The county has not informed Quarryville residents, much less solicited feedback, about this project. The first official notice received came after the public comment period had closed. This alone should be sufficient for the project plan to go back to square one, particularly if it’s a requirement for compliance with authorization procedures. County methods have been high-handed and are felt as such.
2) Several home/property owners will be negatively impacted in the extreme, both by having this immensely tall tower visible in all or good part where now they enjoy sky and trees. The bright safety lighting that will be necessary will create light pollution year round for these residents. Besides spoiling the pleasure they take in rural living, their property values will be negatively affected. Compensation is not part of the county plan.
3) Towers where this emergency radio signal could be placed already exist nearby, but the county’s “preference” (according to Dennis Doyle, who made the presentation) is to have “sole use” of the facility. Well, the preference of numerous residents in the Quarryville neighborhood is that the signal be located elsewhere! And since we are the body politic from which county government derives its authority, we should have the final say, not county officials.
I hope these county officials will reconsider and relocate this intrusive project. The resentment of government this proposal is causing will only increase if this tower gets built against the wishes of everyone who will be able to see it (including the numerous residents who enjoy walking on the Quarry Road and others besides).
Janet Asiain
Quarryville/Saugerties
Risky Wuhan research
On May 14, 2007, the CDC filed for a patent on the isolated coronavirus, also called the SARS-CoV (patent # US7776521B1). Along with the CDC owning the patent on the virus, they also own the patents for measuring the virus (patent # US7220852) and the test kit for detecting the virus (patent # 7776521). The CDC also filed a petition to keep their coronavirus patent holdings unpublished and confidential from the public via 35USC122(b)(2)(B)(i).
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) was granting money to university labs like Harvard, Emory and the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill to do “gain of function research,” which accelerates viral evolution to make them more lethal and more transmissible to study them for vaccine development. President Obama, worried about a possible leak of these more virulent viruses from potentially compromised labs, ordered a halt to gain of function research in the U.S. fearing a possible pandemic.
Curiously, the NIAID and then-director Dr. Anthony Fauci offshores the research and virus to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China through subcontractor “EcoHealth Alliance.” They received a $3.7-million grant, according to documents released by the British paper the Daily Mail. In December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus begins to appear in Wahun, China, purportedly in the fish market, 280 yards down the street from the Wuhan Center for Disease Control lab (WHCDC).
U.S. government cables revealed the US was worried about the Wuhan lab’s security, as documented by Washington columnist and insider Josh Rogin.
French virologist Luc Montagnier, who won the 1983 Nobel Prize for being the first to isolate the HIV virus, examined the SARS-CoV-2 virus, stated on primetime French television he had observed long RNA genome sequences with the addition of short sequences of HIV fragments attached to it, declaring it was manmade through “molecular tools.” He also stated that for the original SARS-CoV coronavirus to have naturally evolved to the complexity of the SARS-CoV-2 “novel-coronavirus”, would take 600 years, but that nature will eventually eliminate any molecular tinkering as the virus spreads and after many deaths.
The CDC will never admit this pandemic fiasco was manmade through risky dangerous research the NIAID funded in a compromised foreign lab and instead turns publicly funded research pathogens into profit by controlling the events through its patents. For further documentation, read bestseller Plague of Corruption by Dr. Judy Mikovits, especially RFK Jr.’s forward.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Helping hands
As autumn draws to a close, we, the board of the Thomas and Corinne Nyquist Foundation would like to thank everyone who has lent a helping hand with the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary this year. The death last December of Tom Nyquist, our beloved leader, husband, father and grandfather, left us somewhat rudder-less. It also left us without his endless clipping, boardwalk constructing and garbage picking in the sanctuary.
So, a great big thank you to Steve Stanne and Cara Lee who have helped us construct benches, taken over much of the clipping, chain sawed a few trees and have mostly been the point people to watch over everything in my dad’s absence.
Thank you to Huguenot Street neighbors and often anonymous friends of the sanctuary who have picked up trash and quietly and surreptitiously replaced boards on the bridge. Thank you to the SUNY New Paltz Geology Club who helped with trail maintenance this summer. Thank you to many who donated maintenance money first in memory of dad and later in memory of neighbor Henri Gueron who died in the spring, or who have just donated to reflect their love of the sanctuary.
Thank you to the Santschi family for the lovely new bench in the field in memory of husband and father Alfred Santschi and to Judy Gueron whose bench in memory of her husband Henri, and Emily Sheehan whose bench in memory of her son Brett Shaw will soon grace the sanctuary.
We also appreciate Sandy Gross of MNC Landscape and Lawncare who tirelessly mows our paths and often expresses his creativity by making new ones, Dwight Bayne of Mountain Tree Care who has responded rapidly to huge trees downed in the sanctuary and cut them into neat little sitting stools, Timely Signs in Kingston who come in person to repair our signs time and again and design lovely new ones, Garone’s Lawn and Landscape who have “brush hogged” the field that forever tries to turn into a wilderness and local stone carver and neighbor Nils Kulleseid who made the new stone bench by the river in memory of my father.
Finally we wish to thank all of you the public — walkers, runners, picnickers, bird watchers who love the sanctuary as we do. During this sad Covid epidemic, the wildlife sanctuary has become something of a human sanctuary where people have gone to escape quarantine and commune with silver maple, shag bark hickory, pin oak, white-tailed deer, red-winged blackbird, blue heron, box turtle, river otter and even the occasional bald eagle.
Thank you all!
Lynn Nyquist, Chair
on behalf of the board of the Thomas and Corinne Nyquist Family Foundation
Woodstock Community holiday party on Christmas Day canceled
This should come as no surprise, though it’s still very disappointing, but due to the virus protocols and with the knowledge of the possibility of further infections, I’m sorry to inform you that the Community holiday party on Christmas Day, held annually at the Community Center in Woodstock, is canceled for this year.
Generally, at this time we’d be contacting sponsors, suppliers, town officials, musicians, volunteers and the general public. We will be doing that next year as we prepare for the always-joyous party. We wish to extend special thanks to all who have contributed and volunteered over the past many years.
Until then, enjoy the holiday season. And just look at the cancellation of our community party as an appropriate end to a bummer of a year.
Chip Brill on behalf of Toni, Arthur and the entire party crew
Woodstock
A little bit of fun and hope
Those of you stuck at home during the pandemic, desperate to experience a little entertainment and feel normal again, take heart! While Broadway (and everywhere else) seems to be closed until 2021, a little theater in New Paltz — the Denizen at Water Street Market — has reopened and is now staging the world premiere of True Love Will Find You in the End by internationally renowned playwright Neil La Bute. Using voice actors and innovative hits of light and sound, the 46-minute play immerses you in a love story that seems simple — until you realize it’s anything but.
Only eight very distanced audience members are allowed per show (and all must wear masks), so it’s a super-safe way to enjoy top-notch theater when we still can’t go out to the movies. I’m told the Denizen will put shows on by request, so if you and a few friends want to check it out, they’ll even stage a special performance for your group! I recently attended a show and was blown away by the creativity and passion of all the hard-working members of the Denizen crew. How nice to know that there is fun — and a bit of hope — to be found during this pandemic, right here in New Paltz.
Margi Conklin
New Paltz
Beyond my comprehension
Certain things in life are beyond my comprehension. People who litter, people who steal, people who abuse animals, holocaust deniers, systemic racism deniers, loud motorcycles, public displays of religion by athletes, people who think mocking a disabled person is funny or okay, people who say they are religious but can’t offer a favorite part of the bible, people who believe a wall is being built by Mexico. People in power who do not condemn Putin’s poisoning and jailing opposition politicians, people who think it’s ok to denigrate POW’S, people who think it’s okay for relatives with light or no experience to make undeserved millions because their relative is a vice president, people who think the end of the virus is “around the corner,” people who won’t wear masks based on “freedom” as an American. People who think our jails are filled with innocent victims of racial profiling, people who really think there is a fake media, people who cannot see or understand the impact that slavery and historical discrimination has had on the black family, on incarceration rates and poverty, people who believe in prayers in public schools, people who don’t believe in term limits, people who like the latest Fargo.
I could go on but … lastly, anyone locally who thinks the CVS/burger joint combo is a good idea for New Paltz is beyond me to comprehend!
Ron Stonitsch
New Paltz
No more minions?
[Town supervisor Bill] McKenna, who puts together the Woodstock Town Board meeting agenda, believes it is a courtesy to the board members and the public, but not a requirement, for resolutions to be posted on the (town board) agenda prior to their meeting. He also, at times, adds additional topics/resolutions to the agenda during a meeting, giving the town board members little if any time to understand and debate them.It appears, based upon the actions and questioning by the town board members at recent meetings, they are no longer allowing McKenna to ram through his agendas.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Turn on the civil lights
At what some would call the summit of civilization, we look out upon our cities and towns. As the evening settles, thousands of lights begin to appear. A sliver of moon is seen on the horizon line. As blankets of shadow make darkness, I hear the squeaking hinge on the door of fear, begin to open.
“Civilization’s” root word, is civil. Webster says civil is, “Of, or relating to citizens.” It goes on to talk about the difference between religious and military law and rule. Those lights we see represent the civil infrastructure in those towns and cities we are looking upon from the mountain top of civilization. Politeness, courtesy, tolerance, humanity and kindness. These civil values are not written in laws.
So, when the lights in our towns and cities begin to disappear under the political fog that has begun to roll in, we watch our communities become invisible and wonder what we will see at sunrise after the election.
Civilization is not having more, not flying higher in the sky, not having a greater army, not owning all the farm lands, not killing off anything that threatens. The adolescent immaturity demonstrated in our political leadership is uncivil.
On the major playgrounds of our world, bullies roam. So, our frightened-boy political thugs cast away civility to intimidate the most, and they have bent the definition of civil, into political.
Those lights on our front porches that light the way for our neighbors to safely come to visit, must be turned on. Bullies operate under the cover of darkness. Join me, in flipping on the civil light switch so our neighbors can see the welcome mat at the door.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
Giving the trees a chance
I am writing regarding saving the Woodstock Library trees. I attended the recent discussion with a local tree specialist and a few members of the library board regarding the tree issue as chair of the Woodstock Tree Committee. I am able to report that, based on what I heard at that meeting, Hudson Valley One was correct in publishing an article stating many of the large iconic trees on the library property are threatened and are likely be damaged or killed off by the construction.
It was stated by the tree specialist that even if the library spent “a lot of money” to protect the trees during construction, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t die several years later from the trauma. Root systems get damaged, soil gets compacted, bark gets knocked off, and trees are very sensitive to all of this.
It was also noted that many of the large specimen trees the library claims to own may be half or fully on a neighbor’s property, further complicating the situation.
Finally, Jean Claude Altens’ October 28 piece on protecting the trees fails to mention the construction of concrete footings and four-foot frost walls that will most likely be required to support a concrete slab and comprise the foundation for the building. Pouring a slab on grade without a proper four-foot foundation appears to violate state building code for our climate and clearly won’t support a structure of this size. These concrete frost walls and footings, as well as the trenches needed for wall construction, can further impact tree root systems to their long-term detriment, unfortunately.
To give the trees at least a chance of survival, the tree committee has advised the library board to contract with a company that specializes in saving trees during construction if the building project goes forward.
Michael Veitch, Chair
Woodstock Tree Committee
Woodstock
The joys of a columnist
What a joy it has been for me to be a columnist for the paper since the 1980s. Under the guidance of Debbie Alexsa and Geddy Sveikauskas, our local paper has served this community with award-winning excellence for many decades.
New Paltz Times gave me a chance to learn to write and express my opinions to denizens of people who responded at ShopRite or The Bakery. That was a lot of fun, even when people disagreed, the disagreements were not disagreeable. Thanks.
I recently reread all my past columns. Only a few were very good, many mediocre, several embarrassing, but all a learning on the job opportunity only a kind and compassionate local enterprise would allow. I miss writing.
This is my last message to the inhabitants of the town I love.
As we live in this world dystopian
With all our countries demons intact
Believe in a future utopian
Your good heart now is packed
With fear and sadness, which overflows
Breaking the seams of love’ deepest core
This is a time that kindness grows
When a heart breaks know for sure
Love, compassion spill out everywhere
So embrace this scary time with grace
Don’t reject or welcome this time of despair.
Just love this broken flawed human race.
Susan Slotnick
New Paltz
The ironic treatment
“Noise and silence are the same .… For all elected politicians, they should just do what s’posta be done.”
Folks, don’t uncross your fingers yet!
Neil Jarmel
Hurley
No bugs, no food!
A third of all the plants we eat won’t grow without bugs and birds to pollinate them. Many local bugs depend on very specific native plants to survive and reproduce.
For example, the monarch butterfly depends on milkweed for its survival. But milkweed isn’t pretty, so people don’t plant it; they even tear it out of their gardens. This is one of the reasons the monarch population has declined so sharply. In fact, the population of all bugs, butterflies, beetles and birds has declined sharply. Have you noticed they’re not all over your windshield in the summer as they used to be? What to do? We need to have plants growing for them to eat and lay their eggs in.
Bugs travel to migrate and find food. Some travel as little as half a mile so native plants must be available pretty often. Many of these are longtime favorites: blackeyed susan, echinacea, phlox and oak trees. Hug a bug — virtually — by creating a pollinator pathway in part of your garden. Join the national pollinator pathway movement.
To find out more, go to: https://wallkillvalleylt.org/pp/
Doris Chorny
Gardiner
You are what you eat
Try not to eat anything dusty.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
To the supporters of the Knights of Columbus and the community
You may have heard that the Saugerties Knights of Columbus is selling the building at 19 Barclay Street. This is true. What is NOT TRUE is that the Saugerties Knights of Columbus is going away. The building has been a source of revenue to help the Knights of Columbus support the many charitable causes in the Saugerties community. Be it from Sunday breakfasts, hall rentals, New Year’s, or St. Patrick’s parties, along with the many raffles over the years, the Saugerties Knights of Columbus has, for the past 62 years, been a source of support for many less fortunate families, regardless of religion. And let us not forget our weekly Bingo. Bingo has been the primary revenue generator for many years. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 shutdown has hit us hard. We have not been able to run Bingo since February and bills are depleting our resources very quickly. Therefore, with much sadness our membership decided it may be time to sell our building. We will be holding our meeting elsewhere and continue our focus on helping our community more. However, the reality of our financial situation is limiting our ability to help others. With Charity as the heart of our organization, helping others is what the Knights of Columbus does, and what the Saugerties Knights of Columbus will continue to do even without our building.
Putting the sale of our building aside for a moment we have an even more pressing issue. For the past 40 years, the Knights has been supplying Christmas food baskets to families in need. These baskets have a complete dinner that includes a turkey or ham with all the trimmings. What started out with 17 baskets has now grown to over 300. This year with the pandemic and many persons out of work, we are expecting the need to be even greater. Over the years many people in our community, along with many businesses, have helped us tremendously by donating to our Christmas basket fund. For that we thank you for the many years of helping us help others. And we look forward to your participation this year as well. Please consider donating towards our Christmas food baskets. Donations can be sent to Knights of Columbus, Christmas Basket Fund, 19 Barclay Street, Saugerties, NY 12477.
Remember, the Saugerties Knights of Columbus is not going away!
Thank you and may God bless you.
John Dickson
Grand Knight
Saugerties Knights of Columbus #4536
A solitary choice
Once again, I had the privilege of assisting with voting in Ellenville today [Election Day]. It was easy duty since the weather was fine and the poll workers were doing a great job and there were no lines in any of the six places in the Ellenville area.
This gave me plenty of time to just sit and watch this wonderful phenomenon of civic life in a functioning democracy and I was deeply moved again as I said last week in my letter in this paper. But this time it was of a very different kind.
Last week i saw and wrote about being moved by the long lines even in cold rain of a beautiful cross section of our American populous. Across ages, sizes, colors and hair doo’s, all waiting patiently for multiple hours in many cases. Today, there were no lines and yet I was moved in a very different way. With not much to do but watch, I began to focus on each individual person as they showed up and I again saw this cross section of our community in a very different way. I could almost perceive what it was that brought each individual to make the choice and effort to go alone to cast that vote and I realized how that solitary choice of each voter builds vote-by-vote our society. I can’t put it any more eloquently.
Thanks all of you.
Jac Conaway
Olivebridge
Join the family! 
