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.
World Bee Day/Biodiversity Day at Woodstock Farm Festival
Hive & Sprouts Project celebrated these at the Woodstock Farm Festival. Our booth had project kits for kids, information on bees, pollination and local and world biodiversity, kids and adult books and resources from local environmental groups. The end of the day brought a procession of children in antennae joyfully parading and buzzing around the farmers’ market, offering a blessing buzz to the vendor’s wares: fruits, herbs and flowers.
Hive & Sprouts Project is about sharing information, deepening a sense of place, teaching the children, interrelationship and community.
There are many people in the Woodstock community who helped us pull this event together. We deeply thank: Woodstock Building Supply – Chris Neher and Abdul Now, Linda Shultz, Dawn Meola – Woodstock Library, Gaela Pearson, Kathleen Mandeville, Katia and Layla Michalopoulos, Zane Raven, Nicole Ganas, Rose Rudnitski, Amanda and Anthony Stromoski – Rough Draft, Tom Pignone – Mountain View Studios, James Orr, Will Lytle, Katie Fleissner, Dorna Schroeter, Georgia Asher – Woodstock Pollinator Pathway, Chuck Ver Straeten – New York State Museum, and Erik Kiviat and Gretchen Stevens – Hudsonia.
Hive & Sprouts Project intends to continue exploring our question: “What do the children need to learn to prepare them for the world we are leaving to them?”
We thank the Woodstock Farm Festival for hosting us.
Jill Olesker, Deborah Day and the Hive
Hive & Sprouts Project
Woodstock
Suicide squeeze
All over the area are signs reminding us that bikes share the road and ride in their lane. In most areas, that “lane” is a couple of inches of crumbling pavement. Do not ride on these roads; cars need the full width of the road to pass oncoming traffic. Whatever government power that put up these BAD IDEAS should take them down.
Paul Nathe
New Paltz
Choice to be unvaccinated
I was very surprised and encouraged to see your courageous lead story on those who have done a deep dive into the research, have weighed the evidence and made an informed decision to opt out of the experimental use of the mRNA injections that are being called vaccines but are more correctly categorized as gene therapy. The pressures, coercion and rewards to be part of this world-wide experiment are hard for many to withstand, but those of us who have done the research and may have had adverse reactions to vaccines in the past, are wary of allowing our bodies to be subjected to injections that have shown to adversely affect a growing number of recipients with disorders of the blood, respiratory, neurological and cognitive damage. I myself was made ill from a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis shot years ago and have since had medical exemptions to forego vaccines. If anyone would like a credible source of information cataloging the mounting evidence of adverse effects, I would suggest they check out attorney Robert Kennedy Jr.’s site Children’s Health Defense https://childrenshealthdefense.org/. His newsletter documents the government’s weekly VAERS reports showing deaths and adverse effects thought to be related to the vaccines. His tireless efforts led to cleaning up the Hudson River of toxins like mercury that contaminate fish and now he leads the charge against vaccines with toxic ingredients. The hope is that vaccines can be made without toxin adjuvants such as thimerosol (mercury) which is suspected of contributing to autism, formaldehyde, aluminum, Polyethylene glycol, (PEG) https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/b/excipient-table-2.pdf.
I hope that those who have taken the vaccine remain healthy or are able to recover fully if they develop any adverse effects and that those who have chosen not to take it are respected for making choices that are aligned with the information they have taken the time to research. If we all take personal responsibility for our individual health, the health of our children and the health of the planet, we would all be better equipped to cope with any pathogens that would enjoy taking up residence in our bodies! You immune system is your best ally to thwart any opportunistic infection.
Pam O’Dea
Tillson
Vote for Tim Scott Jr. and Nina Schmidbaur for Saugerties Town Board
Tim Scott — I have known Tim Scott Jr. as a very focused and hard worker for several years as we have worked together and are the UCDC endorsed candidates for Election District 8 in Saugerties. Tim is a member of the Saugerties Democratic Committee and is a lifelong resident of Saugerties. He currently serves on the Town of Saugerties Zoning Board of Appeals (since May 2018), the Saugerties Public Library’s board of trustees (since 2018) and on the Ulster County Young Democrats since March 2018. Having served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and as a library trustee has provided Tim with greater insight into the processes of the town. Most recently on the library board, Tim was part of the policies created to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Tim led the #SaveThePostOffice rally in support of Saugerties USPS workers in August.
Nina Schmidbaur grew up in Saugerties. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo and obtained a Master’s in social work from SUNY Binghamton. She has spent the last seven years in mental health advocacy as a psychotherapist. In November 2020, Nina spearheaded an art project in the village, “Communities for Social Justice.” She worked with Saugerties artists and merchants to create one-of-a kind banners to hang in shop windows.
Nina and Tim are running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, inclusivity, job creation, environment conservation and for the creation of more affordable housing in Saugerties. I fully support this team of energetic young people and urge you to vote for them June 22.
Susan Breen
Glasco
Warren Wiegand for Gardiner Town Board
I have been working to save Gardiner’s farms and open space since 2004. A lot has been accomplished so far, but there’s much more to do to protect the town’s special rural character and its unique natural environment, especially in the wake of Covid’s dramatic impact on the residential real estate market.
In 2005 and 2006, I was a member of the committee which wrote Gardiner’s plan for protecting farms and open space. Next, I worked with Town Board member Nadine Lemmon to draft Gardiner’s Open Space Law. Then, in 2007, I was selected as the first chair of the Open Space Commission, which identified the Kiernan and Hess family farms as the most important properties to be protected from development. Over the next five years, I worked with the Open Space Commission, the Open Space Institute, the New York Department of Agriculture and private foundations to raise the money to save these working farms.
Both farms, totaling over 200 acres, now are protected by conservation easements, which prohibit any future development. This was accomplished without any increase in Gardiner’s taxes.
Unfortunately, between 2012 and 2014, open space protection slowed in Gardiner and the Open Space Commission ceased to operate. In 2017, when I was reelected to the Town Board, I initiated the effort to reestablish the Open Space Commission. Since 2018, the new commission has reinvigorated the town’s effort to protect open land from development and has formulated many new land-protection tools.
Please vote for me in the June 22 Democratic primary to help protect Gardiner’s farms and open space and its unique rural character.
Warren Wiegand
Gardiner
Immediate response required!
Rudy Giuliani’s son, Andrew Giuliani, announced he’s running for governor of New York. And he’s qualified because…? The phrase “snowball’s chance in Hell” comes to mind. So, the son of someone who used to be important, but is now a laughingstock, is running for governor – a wannabe, coattail-riding spawn of a traitor. Think we will fall for it? Lord help New York State.
What experience does he have to run one of the largest states in our country? Well, I’m sure that his depth of experience as the “Liaison for Sports” in Li’l Dick’tater’s “administration” will prove vital to him being a governor. Yeah, right; he arranged the McDonald’s buffet for the football player celebrations at Trump’s White House. It was a lot of work setting up those heat lamps to keep those Big Macs warm for the athletes. And all that government experience setting up golf outings with sixth-tier celebs for Donnie from the basement of the White House totally sets him up to run for office.
Giuliani’s comment to the New York Post was, “I’m a politician out of the womb. It’s in my DNA.” He also claimed he has spent parts of five different decades in politics. He’s only 35 years old. You do the math. Born in 1986, so the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, ‘10s and ‘20s. If he’s talking about being in politics by family, he’s right! That doesn’t, of course, make him the least bit qualified. Being around politics as a two-year-old doesn’t make him qualified. Is he claiming a legacy through his father? Nutty!
He was just on Russia-TV, too, saying that Americans want to leave the country because of how his dad is being treated. I would encourage those “Americans” to do just that. The sooner, the better. Most people don’t use Russian propaganda outlets to run for governor of New York. I can guess who is putting up the money. Very unusual strategy as a way to advance in politics, isn’t it?
“Giuliani vs. Cuomo. Holy smokes – it’s like Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier. We can sell tickets at Madison Square Garden.” Personally, I would not have intentionally reminded folks about his relationship with his father. Shit, we can’t unremember him: the under-indictment guy, the crazzzeee with dye running down his temples.
Anyway, this young Ghouliani doesn’t have a chance, does he? Sadly, he still might win. The dumb vote is clearly a dangerous force these days. We wish him luck. Notice I didn’t say what kind of luck.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Statement about the police
As members of the Religious Society of Friends, we believe in the dignity and worth of every human life. We seek the best in ourselves and look for the best in others. We strive to treat our neighbors equally and with honesty, fairness and respect, whatever their walk of life, whether we agree with their views or not.
We consider ourselves responsible for caring for our nation, our communities and each other, including those who work in New Paltz to keep the peace. We oppose violence in any form. These are the same values and attitudes we would like to see in the local police and in our community. We urge that community officers be deeply schooled in ways to solve conflicts without violence.
We are profoundly disturbed to know that, nationwide, the police kill three people a day – a number that hasn’t changed in recent years, despite all the attention on police killings (as reported in The New York Times, 4/17/21). A disproportionate number of the victims are people of color. Similarly, people of color are incarcerated at a much higher rate than whites. Violence and injustice can only create more violence.
We are heartened to know that the Town of New Paltz has passed a plan, in accordance with suggestions from the Police Reform and Reinvention Committee, that includes community oversight of the police as well as anti-racism training. We are eager to see the implementation of these changes. We welcome and support them.
Terence P. Ward
on behalf of New Paltz Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Unconventional?
When I saw that Woodstock’s Democratic Committee endorsed its chair and one of its committee members for Woodstock Town Board in the June 22 primary, I wrote: “I am guessing that Woodstock’s Democratic Committee (WDC) did not take into consideration my résumé that included my 15 years as a volunteer on the Zoning Board of Appeals, or my being a resident of Woodstock for 30 years, or my vision for improving various issues concerning Woodstock (which can be seen on bringbackwdstk.blogspot.com) when they made their endorsement for the upcoming primary regarding the two vacancies on the Town Board. When was the last time the WDC endorsed anyone running in a primary?”
The response from Linda Lover, a member of the WDC, was, “All Democratic candidates running for office usually ask (boldface added) to speak at our meetings. In this way, people can hear about you and your platform. Why didn’t you?”
“Usually ask.” What does that mean? I should have been informed that you required my presence. When I decided to run for the Town Board, I sent my résumé/bio to the WDC with a note saying, “If you need any additional information, please contact me.” Additionally, I, along with many others, think it is unusual that the WDC would endorse candidates prior to the primary.
UPDATE: I was invited by the WDC to the Zoom candidate forum they are hosting on June 11 at 5 p.m.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Kayleigh Zaloga for Saugerties Town Board
I’m writing in support of Kayleigh Zaloga, a Saugerties Town Board candidate, in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Kayleigh is the first local candidate I’ve seen to set forth both progressive and pragmatist ideas for making Saugerties an even more amazing place to live. As a highly intelligent worker for the State Assembly, she has well-honed skills in negotiating complex issues and multi-billion-dollar budgets. One of the strengths that makes her such a strong candidate is her ability to truly listen to people with radically different views from herself and to have real conversations – ones that open up possibility and new paths forward. She sees issues from every point of view and is not afraid to be bold in the face of seemingly impossible issues.
I love that she sees areas for improvement while not letting perfectionism get in the way of progress. Kayleigh is one of the smartest people I know, and she’s devoted her career to figuring out how to help as many other people as possible. I know she’ll bring the same drive to improving life here in Saugerties as she does to her work for everyone in New York State.
The Democratic primary election is on June 22, with early voting at the Saugerties Senior Center June 12 to 20. I urge you to join me in voting for Kayleigh Zaloga.
Jazmine Russell
Saugerties
Please consider using a leash
Thank you, Erin Quinn, for sharing your recent experience with the Covid-19 virus in Hudson Valley One. Glad you and yours are feeling better.
I am sorry to read that you apparently opt to enjoy the lands of the Mohonk Preserve, along with an off-leashed dog. Please consider using a leash in the future for the safety of other dogs, walkers, hikers, birdwatchers and bike-riders.
Glenn Gidaly
New Paltz
An Open Letter to Chuck Schumer & Nancy Pelosi
Dear Chuck and Nancy:
Even though we now have President Biden in the White House, who is clearly leading the country in good ways, we still have major problems in our nation. I am not writing to you to list the number of issues we must continue to deal with. I trust that you both are well aware of all the obvious places that the United States is challenged. However, I am increasingly upset about one particular issue that bothers me each and every day when I turn on the news.
Why are there no Democrats in Congress who are willing to be passionate and outspoken about the insane, terrifying, toxic and shameful efforts the Republicans continue to pursue? If a Democrat makes the slightest gaffe, the Republicans can’t wait to throw that Democrat under the bus. But right now the Republicans are making a mockery of our democracy. What do you hear from the Dems? Crickets. Only crickets. The result? Terrible optics!
You both are the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress, and you have a responsibility to lead the party toward what is best for our country. We need to see some powerful Democrats in the media, right now, who can speak boldly. Please reach out to a few hearty and passionate Democratic senators and representatives who will carry the torch. Ask them to fiercely call out the Republicans for anything they do that is not supportive to healing our nation. The public needs to see and hear strong Democrats, not just defending the Democratic platform, but taking the offense in exposing the pretense, the outright lies and the undemocratic platform of the Republican Party. It’s high time for Democrats to give up the strategy of being nice. Why? Because it’s not working! The optics paint a skewed picture, but you have the power to change it.
Currently, the public has a picture of the Republicans, appearing as crazy, rough-riding bullies, and the Democrats are viewed as being quietly scared of them. As leaders of the Democrats, you already have the truth, righteous indignation and the love of our nation on your side. Now you must find the way to express your anger, your passion for integrity and your disgust toward everything that the Republicans are doing that is toxic. Where is your fire? If you are not willing to do this as leaders, then please seek out some willing party members who can show the public that Democrats have backbones, muscles and strong voices. Encourage them to speak out from now on and not let the Republicans control the media with their bullying ways!
Marty Klein
Woodstock
Endorsements for Gardiner Town Board
In the world of local politics, at times we get to choose really exceptional candidates for public office. In Gardiner, we have such a choice, at least in the Democratic Primary on June 22. Two candidates seeking nomination to the Town Board have demonstrated long and remarkable commitments to the welfare and visionary future of the town. Carol Richman has devoted herself to protecting and nurturing Gardiner’s future through her work on the Environmental Conservation Commission and most recently, on the Planning Board. After years of work there, she is fully qualified to serve on the Town Board.
Warren Wiegand needs little introduction. He has served on the Town Board in its most tumultuous periods, reinstituting the Open Space Commission after its loss of support, moving to protect and preserve local farms, restraining development that fails to focus on community values and concerns and striving to keep town expenses reasonable. He is a seasoned member of the board and deserves to be returned to office.
We have an opportunity to send two excellent individuals to the Gardiner Town Board. Let’s do this.
Glenn McNitt
Gardiner
Treason in the halls of Congress
Those who think alarms about deteriorating American democracy are hyperbolic should look squarely at the radical Congressional Republicans’ response to the proposed bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection: Do nothing. Instead, bend to the command of “the Don” Trump, who wants no investigation of that attempt to subvert the US Constitution. Why should he? He organized it.
It’s all of a piece that began in the campaign of 2016, when the now-disgraced former president claimed that he couldn’t lose unless the election were corrupt. (Surprise! He won! Guess that means the election was fair.) Fast-forward to 2021 as the radical Republican agenda proceeds: the Big Lie about a stolen election (he lost), legislation to suppress the votes of targeted populations, even new state laws to move jurisdiction over elections from officials who try to run fair contests to partisan legislatures.
The radical Republicans’ vote against the commission keeps the wheels grinding for their plan to put the fix in for permanent Republican power at the expense of a democratic society. If you’re not alarmed, you’re likely to sleep through it before you’ve realized what has happened and how the daily lives you’ve taken for granted look very different.
Tom Denton
Highland
Memorial Day from a veteran
Instead of offering an opportunity to mourn those whose lives have been taken by war, Memorial Day all too often brings with it sales at the malls, barbecues and the predictable platitudes from members of Congress – only 17 percent of whom ever have been in the military – asking us to thank our troops for sacrificing their lives to “protect our freedoms.”
As a veteran myself, I would remind them that every single war waged by the US since World War II and every single one before that has been about protecting the interests of the war profiteers, not about protecting our freedoms. Our freedoms are protected by our Constitution, and they would be just fine if elected politicians stopped trying to take them away from us by passing laws that criminalize dissent and make it harder to vote. I will also add that the massive funding of the military/industrial complex drains a huge portion of our tax dollars that could go instead to much more needed human and social services.
This Memorial Day, let us grieve for the millions of lives needlessly taken by the foolish notion that our bombs will keep us safe and free. They do nothing except cause massive suffering and make the war profiteers obscenely rich. Our safety and our freedoms depend, instead, on all citizens putting public pressure on those politicians whose militaristic policies make us less free and safe.
Tarak Kauff
NYC Veterans for Peace
Woodstock
Tiny houses
My house is so small, the bathtub is on the roof.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Peace vigil every month
Many of us have been upset and troubled by the horrible death and destruction in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel.
Most people don’t realize that there is a weapons manufacturer in Woodstock. In fact, it is Woodstock’s biggest business!
Ametek-Rotron, right off Route 375, makes parts for precision weaponry. In fact, their components are essential ingredients. US aid to Israel comes right back to Ulster County in the form of contracts for military components. The US Department of Defense keeps the wars going in Israel and Saudi Arabia and many other places in the world.
Rotron used to make fans for vacuum cleaners and VCRs. If Woodstock is truly a place for “peace and love,” let’s go back to useful manufacturing. No weapons-making! Come to our vigil on the first of every month at 3 p.m. We stand for peace at the entrance to Ametek-Rotron on 375.
DeeDee Halleck
Willow
Interview with a pony soldier
The following PBS interview parody is a public service to the many Feedback readers whose opinions are influenced by CNN, MSNBC and Neil Jarmel. It was written in the hope that those unfamiliar with the incident cited who voted for Biden during the primaries or for president will be inspired to ask themselves, their Jarmel-like hatred of “Orange Man” notwithstanding: “What were we thinking?”
Woodruff: Good evening and welcome to The News Hour. During the 2020 campaign a New Hampshire college student, Madison Moore, asked Joe Biden, “How do you explain the [poor] performance in Iowa, and why should voters believe that you can win the national election?” Candidate Biden responded by saying, “It’s a good question,” and, after stating, “Iowa is a caucus,” asked Ms. Moore if she had ever been to a caucus. When she answered “Yes,” Biden snapped, “No, you haven’t. You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier.” Although the reference was obscure, the general consensus seems to be that it came from the 1952 Tyrone Power film Pony Soldier, in which a cavalry soldier of the film’s title is a member of the Northwest Canadian Mounted Police.
Because of this, tonight, as a guest on our “Obscure phrases spoken by famous people” segment of The News Hour, we have a member of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police, Sergeant Jonathan Billingsby, with us to discuss the phrase “lying dog-faced pony soldier.” Welcome, Sergeant Billingsby.
Billingsby: Hello, Judy, thank you for having me on the program.
Woodruff: Sergeant, in the Tyrone Power film a character refers to a cavalry or pony soldier as one who “speaks with a tongue of the snake that rattles.”
Billingsby: Yes, Judy, I’m familiar with the film. In fact, Mr. Power is my favorite actor of that era. First of all, the “forked tongue” description was not intended for all pony soldiers. This is important because the members of the North West Force, later amalgamated to the Canadian Mounties, were known to be men of exceptional integrity.
Woodruff: Prior to appearing tonight were you familiar with the Biden incident in which he used the phrase “lying dog-faced pony soldier?”
Billingsby: Yes, I was, Judy. Like many Canadians, I followed the American primary campaigns closely because of their implications for our country.
Woodruff: What were your thoughts as you watched the exchange between Biden and Ms. Moore?
Billingsby: I was quite surprised when Biden challenged the young woman’s “caucus” answer and shocked when he called her a “lying dog-faced pony soldier.”
Woodruff: Did you think Biden was denigrating pony soldiers?
Billingsby: Well, no, Judy. Initially, I was taken aback by Biden’s rudeness. However, I found his “lying dog-faced pony soldier” shocking because he not only impugned Ms. Moore’s integrity, but insulted her physical appearance as well. This was particularly disturbing, because Mr. Biden is often referred to by the US Press as an empathetic, sensitive man.
Woodruff: Sergeant, we’ve run out of time, but I’d like to give you an opportunity to directly address President Biden regarding this incident. You have about 60 seconds.
Billingsby: Thank you, Judy. I am happy to take advantage of the opportunity to do so, President Biden, with all due respect, during the campaign you told, among others, the following lies: You said the NAACP and the Boilermakers’ Union endorsed your candidacy and claimed to have been arrested in the 1970s while trying to visit Nelson Mandela in prison. With this in view, and in light of your past plagiarisms and the recent “four Pinocchios” awarded to you by the Washington Post regarding your comments on Georgia’s election reforms, I offer the following: Even a dog-faced pony soldier knows that a person with your history of telling lies shouldn’t call other people liars.
Woodruff: Thank you, Sergeant Billingsby, and goodnight.
Billingsby: It was my pleasure, Judy. Goodnight to you and your viewers.
Woodruff: Next up: reactions to our interview from the News Hour’s panel.
George Civile
Gardiner
Community, please take note
The Village of New Paltz Planning Board (PB) is beginning to review an application from the Lalo Group for a project on the 2.4-acre parcel with frontage along Hasbrouck, Elting and Plattekill Avenues. The parcel has been nicknamed “the Pit” by many in the community for several years.
The proposal includes:
(1) a 50-room hotel (three-story building), with restaurant, spa and banquet hall facilities,
(2) a three-story mixed-use building comprised of first-floor retail (17,074 square feet) and second- and third-floor office space (36,071 square feet), and
(3) a two-level underground parking garage with 386 parking spaces and two loading berths.
In New York State, proposals like this that need permits from a unit of local government require an environmental impact assessment, as prescribed by the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). SEQR requires consideration of a broad array of environmental impacts, as well as social and economic factors.
The PB will be designated as the environmental Lead Agency for Lalo’s application if no objection is received from any other involved government agency. If the PB assumes Lead Agency, it will then review Part 2 of the Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) that has been prepared by the Village’s engineer. This will help the PB identify the relevant environmental areas of concern.
Questions included in Part 2 are designed to help identify impacts and each of the Part 2 questions explores a different environmental topic. These topics are found here: www.dec.ny.gov/permits/91690.html.
Question 1: Impact on Land
Question 2: Impact on Geological Features
Question 3: Impacts on Surface Water
Question 4: Impact on Groundwater
Question 5: Impact on Flooding
Question 6: Impacts on Air
Question 7: Impact on Plants and Animals
Question 8: Impact on Agricultural Resources
Question 9: Impact Aesthetic Resources
Question 10: Impact on Historic and Archeological Resources
Question 11: Impact on Open Space and Recreation
Question 12: Impact on Critical Environmental Areas
Question 13: Impact on Transportation
Question 14: Impact on Energy
Question 15: Impact on Noise, Odor and Light
Question 16: Impact on Human Health
Question 17: Consistency with Community Plans
Question 18: Consistency with Community Character
If the Planning Board concludes that any of the referenced topics have the possibility of having a significant adverse environmental impact, it will classify the project as a “positive declaration” and likely require an Environmental Impact Statement be prepared. The PB will then in public meetings develop a detailed list, or “scope,” of environmental issues that must be studied further.
The public will have the opportunity to comment during the development of the scoping document as to the topics and issues that should be studied. The public will also have an opportunity to comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. However, the Village PB also permits open public comments regarding any pending project during each of their regular meetings, which may be made verbally or via e-mail to planningzoning@villageofnewpaltz.org. The PB meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays.
Completed forms and other documentation related to Lalo’s application are found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XGVM_U-1ZcLDB5-0fgNQukPP0ogdtRHW.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency
The Daily Freeman published an article on May 28 regarding the county comptroller seeking to audit the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) composting operation. UCRRA is distinctly not a county department. In 1986, the State Legislature created UCRRA, a Public Benefit Corporation. As such, UCRRA is autonomous from county government in distinct ways and notably, UCRRA does not receive any taxpayer funding to execute its mission.
As a Public Authority, UCRRA is required by Public Authorities Law to file financial and budgetary information with the Authorities Budget Office and the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Financial reports are public and transparently presented on the UCRRA website, and routinely reviewed at board of directors’ meetings. With such controls in place and clearly established structure for the agency, it’s questionable why the comptroller would choose these channels to access financial information that is already available.
UCRRA is proud to serve Ulster County with its mission to manage waste with a focus on resource conservation, efficiently and economically. In 2018 and 2019, UCRRA was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers’ Association, in pursuit of our dedication to fiscal responsibility and excellence.
UCRRA seeks to be a valued community asset, and will continue to work collaboratively with Ulster County to achieve shared goals in climate-smart leadership. The agency will continue to manage Ulster County’s waste in an environmentally and financially responsible manner as we plan for the future of new solid waste disposal options.
Katherine J. Beinkafner
Chair, UCRRA
Kingston
Gardiner’s proposed dog kennel law needs rescuing
In the fall of 2020, a commercial kennel application came before Gardiner’s planning board. After initial planning board comments, the applicant withdrew its application. Soon after, the town proposed a six-month moratorium for kennel applications with the intent to pass a new kennel law. The moratorium passed in February 2021.
A proposed kennel law has been drafted and a June 8th hearing scheduled. Buried in the notice section of the town’s website, below the notice of the 5k running race, is the kennel law’s Notice of Hearing with a link to the proposed law. There is no “redlined” version of the existing law to show draft revisions. Rather, the town has revised the order of the draft so drastically, that it is not for the faint-hearted to compare the existing law (once located) to the draft.
The town did not hold listening sessions to ascertain what kind of kennel law the mere 5,000+ citizens of Gardiner would want or if they wanted to impose restrictions or even a ban on commercial dog breeding. Increasingly, across the country, towns and even entire states (Maine, California and Maryland) are banning the sale of commercially bred cats and dogs with pet stores now selling only rescues.
Gardiner’s proposed law has a few good provisions, including the HVAC and ventilation requirement, yet it is otherwise cruel and antiquated because it:
• Allows an unspecified numbers of dogs to be housed and bred, which poses problems both for the dogs and surrounding community.
• Might not allow certain dogs to turn or even lay down in their pens due to the minimum size of 12 sq. ft. (15 for giant breeds), which is much less than existing law’s 25 sq. ft. The text requiring that “enclosures must be large enough for dogs to stand up in, to lie down and to turn around comfortably” has been removed.
• Prevents dogs from socializing: only one dog to a pen and only one dog outside at a time.
• Would restrict outdoor time to a maximum of four hours a day if outdoor pens are shared. (12 hour nighttime ban with a three-way timeshare during the day.)
• Could prevent dogs from exercise due to the minimum size of the dog run.
• Without any rational basis, restricts the number of foster dogs to one or a bonded pair or a mother with puppies at both private and commercial kennels. This is in stark contrast to the fact that fostering a dog saves two lives, the fostered dog and the next dog that a rescue organization can now accommodate.
These comments do not even begin to address what SHOULD be included in a modern kennel law. Gardinerites are concerned about animal welfare. We love our dogs. We love to rescue them. In so many way, dogs save our lives. This law does not treat “man’s best friend” as it should. Please read the law, attend the June 8 zoom hearing, and provide written comments.
Carol Richman
Gardiner
5G cell technology: Is it safe or not
New Yorkers have the right to know whether small cell 5G technology is safe or not. Decades of independent research and federal studies such as the National Toxicology Program report have shown that chronic, whole body exposure to radio frequency can cause biological harm, including cancer and DNA breaks. Now cell companies are locating small cell 5G technology antennas near homes and schools. Children are particularly vulnerable. Also, international insurers like Lloyd’s of London have refused to insure telecoms against personal injury claims resulting from radio frequency exposure.
Currently, there are two bills before the NYS Legislature that will set up an independent commission to focus on the advantages of 5G technology and the potential harm to the human body and the environment. If this issue is of concern, please contact your NYS assembly person and senator and ask them to co-sponsor the respective bills for the assembly, A6448 and senate, S5926.
Weston Blelock
Woodstock
Join the family! 
