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.
Get to the polls and vote for Todd Baker and Carol Richman on June 22
Please support Todd Baker and Carol Richman for Gardiner Town Board.
If you’ve attended a Gardiner Town Board meeting in the last two years, you’ve probably seen Todd Baker in action. Todd works tirelessly to organize residents and encourages them to stand up for their property rights throughout the board’s ongoing effort to draft Gardiner’s STR (Short-Term Rental) law, a primary issue for the town. Todd has pushed the Town Board to adopt a final version of this law that is fair to all residents.
Carol Richman’s persistent, smart voice and environmental advocacy on the Gardiner Planning Board will be missed, but I look forward to watching her work on the Town Board.
I realized the importance of local elections when I returned to the Hudson Valley and settled in Gardiner as a first time homeowner in 2019. Town Board members literally dictate what happens in your backyard, so choose wisely.
And most importantly: please get to the polls and vote for Todd Baker and Carol Richman on June 22.
Lisa Minnetto
Gardiner
A-meh-rica, bigly covfefe’d again
Last month, Donald Trump’s new blog went online with hype that it would “completely redefine the game.” For 29 days, ex-president Donald Trump revolutionized digital communication with a blog where he occasionally would post his, err, thoughts about the news of the day. Billed by Faux News as a “communications platform,” this new social media platform by Trump was created after he was banned from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat because of the Capitol riot he helped to incite at his rally on 1/6/2021.
Now, the blog has been scrapped entirely, adding to Trump’s list of failures; he’s struggling to remain relevant. Well, that was to be expected. (A) Who was writing the blog? I wonder who his ghost writer was. If it was grammatically correct and words were spelled correctly, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t the author. Couldn’t have been him; his attention span isn’t that long. (B) Who, among his supporters, would read anything longer than a sentence? His followers were probably grappling with reading more than 120 characters.
Trump is supposed to be a businessman, but even with his so-called billions, he couldn’t put together a startup social media site. Kids in their parents’ basements do better. However, I am upset though – very upset: How else will I know what the orange blob is saying? I mean, all his public pronouncements were so profound.
The blog was a laughable failure on so many levels. However, knowing him, he probably used it to grift money from the eternally stupid. Not the first time he’s promoted and bragged about something that wound up being disappointing and underwhelming. You gotta hand it to his commitment to never do anything of quality – that’s one thing he is consistent with! Half-assed, like everything he does except “hate,” and that he does 500 percent full-assed.
According to Stormy Daniels, his blog was kind of like his lovemaking: underwhelming, tiny reach, short-lived and ended with an embarrassing whimper. This world-class buffoon continues to be a world-class “loser”!
He really, really loves losing, doesn’t he? Hmm, what do you expect from a guy who can barely read and write and who seldom has a coherent thought? Also, he’s lazy, and I guess no one wanted to do it for him. People who need that much attention are known as energy vampires, and they’re exhausting or extremely draining. This is how we behave with people in our lives who are demanding: We keep our distance and eventually cut ties.
I can’t imagine being so openly desperate for adulation and to be idolized. How black and empty his soul must be. Girth Vader did not redefine social media, but he did redefine politics. His agenda was to attack democracy (he did a great job); he uncovered the scum of the Earth and called them “his” people; and lastly, he hijacked the GOP, which once had the respect of a lot of Americans (kudos to him). People around him in Trumplandia should really invest in diapers, because everything he touches turns to shit.
Finally, Trump really doesn’t need a blog, since, according to him, he will be “magically reinstated” in the White House by August, and everyone knows that, LOL! He actually believes his own guff. It is not tactical. It is massive self-delusion. He needs to live where “nice young men in clean white coats” take care of him, which would be the best thing for America going forward.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Straining capacity at New Paltz wastewater plant
“No Paltz” has become “Go Paltz” for commercial developers of late, with the most pro-development mayor in memory. In addition to Zero Place, Stewart’s Shops, a hotel/conference center planned for the Pit, a boutique hotel at the former Moxie Cupcake site and a proposed commercial/residential project next to Zero Place at Main Street Auto, the Village is considering a gift of lands to enable the CVS/Five Guys project by the Thruway and another gift to enable the 234-unit New Paltz Apartments south of SUNY (site of the failed Park Point project).
In this context, there seems little interest in protecting longtime residents from the effects of new development. In 2019, I advocated for the recently installed traffic light at the base of Henry W. DuBois Drive to accommodate the new Stewart’s, the Empire State Trail and Zero Place. Tim Rogers, KT Tobin, every other member of the Village Board and county legislator Eve Walter argued against that light. The New York State Department of Transportation sided with residents and disagreed with them.
Trans Hudson’s CVS/Five Guys and the New Paltz Apartments groups are asking that land beneath their projects be annexed from the Town to the Village in order to access Village water and sewer. Doing so would constitute a preposterous gift of taxpayer-funded infrastructure to for-profit developers: elected officials gifting finite space in our wastewater plant; ~250 toilets added at the proposed New Paltz Apartments site alone! And what do taxpayers get in return? No affordable housing units are proposed at New Paltz Apartments (the land beneath the actual housing units would remain in the Town, not subject to Village affordable housing law). No noise-dampening walls lining the Thruway are required in place of the trees sacrificed for CVS. The most significant reward to villagers from gifts to developers? Poop, poop and more poop. The symbolism is powerful!
I have repeatedly over years cited the importance of an independent and professional baseline study of the remaining capacity at our wastewater plant on Huguenot Street. An independent professional study could serve as a living document, to be updated as new projects are proposed. At some point, developers might be required to contribute to the multi-million-dollar cost of new wastewater capacity. Why not these developers, now?
We witnessed recently in Washington a political party that voted against credible and independent information about the 2021 insurrection. Why are Republicans in DC so reluctant to get the facts? Similarly, one might ask: Why have our local elected officials failed to publicly discuss long-term planning for taxpayer-funded wastewater treatment capacity while planning to gift our locally funded capacity to developers?
The Village Environmental Policy Board has unanimously passed a resolution requesting that the Village pay for a professional study of remaining capacity at our wastewater plant. This issue of capacity at our plant was a major concern for Mayors Nyquist and West. To the current mayor and Village Board: Who pays for all this shit hitting our fan: us or them?
Donald Kerr
New Paltz
Another silent spring
Perhaps the greatest twin threats to man’s existence on Planet Earth in this age of the Sixth Extinction, when species are going the way of the dodo at the rate of one per 20 minutes (according to the IUCN, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature) are ignorance and apathy. Consumed in the recovery of a post-Trump world and the slow recovery from the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, Homo sapiens has neglected to look out its collective urban and suburban windows and ignored the results of another silent spring devastating the natural world.
Have you ever read the book Silent Spring, written by the sage scientist Rachel Carson in 1962, which documented the ecocidal effects caused by DDT on the entire ecological food chain? The neurotoxic and bio-magnifying chemical pesticide applied indiscriminately across the American landscape almost caused the extinction of our national symbol, the bald eagle, as well as other numerous raptors (osprey, brown pelican, peregrine falcon) and hundreds of other bird species, as well as systematically poisoning the entire ecological food web. Banned from use in the US in 1972, DDT is still used, unfortunately, in other countries.
However, the proverbial admonition of a dead canary in the coal mine, which told miners to quickly get out before deadly gases like methane killed them, is ignored as our treasured birdlife in the North American woodlands and our backyards is disappearing at an apocalyptic rate. The grim statistic of three billion bird deaths since 1970 (that’s 29 percent of the world’s bird population) is the sign of a major bird biodiversity collapse all across this country and the world. Have you heard any birdsongs in the woods lately? Where are the great flocks of robins or bluejays, warblers, vireos, tanagers and thrushes, which were once such a vibrant part of the ecosystem? Where are the great warbler waves and vireos flooding into the treetops, which I used to experience every May morning, or the dawn woodland bird chorus that reminded me of the iconic WAMC radio wakeup broadcast Morning Pro Musica, hosted by Robert J. Lurtsema?
This haunting absence of birdsongs every spring morning is a dire symptom of the chronic cumulative ecological crisis underway: the result of many factors, including insect decline (dropping 2.5 percent a year) from the indiscriminate use of pesticides and herbicides, climate change, pollution, lighted windows in buildings, wind turbines and feral house cats (which kill over 224 million birds a year). The principal cause of migratory bird loss is widespread tropical forest destruction of their overwintering grounds in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America and forest fragmentation in the US from agricultural and urbanization pressures.
Resident bird species have also suffered, like bluejays, which are down 20 percent in the last 50 years, evening grosbeaks – 90 percent, grassland species like sparrows and meadowlarks down 53 percent and boreal bird species like titmice, creepers and woodpecker all lost more than 31 percent of their population. In the last ten years alone, there has been a 14 percent decrease in the amount of nocturnal bird migration to North America.
All of these declining bird species are casualties of man’s profound lack of an ecological conscience. Consider the statistics of mounting bird loss and their causes the next time you take your walk outside in the quiet woods and fields of this silent spring and contemplate what we have done to the natural world. The silent woods are an epitaph to our apathy.
Victor C. Capelli
Town of Ulster
CleanSlate New York’s criminal justice legislation
CleanSlate New York (cleanslateny.org), a non-profit organization, is currently striving to get important criminal justice legislation passed in Albany before the end of the legislative session. The intense racial discrimination which has long existed in American society often renders former inmates homeless and without the ability to get even a basic job. The bill will assist formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully reintegrate into society once they have met all the requirements and obligations of their sentence. It will help them acquire housing and employment, without which reintegration is impossible.
CleanSlate New York’s overall mission is to redress the underlying racism/discrimination of our criminal “justice” system, at least in New York State. Black, brown and Latinx residents are arrested by police and imprisoned at a much higher rate than whites. We have all heard of cases where a nonwhite professor/doctor was arrested while driving a car legally (“driving while black”). In New York City in 2017, nine percent t of the people arrested for marijuana possession were white; 48 percent were black or brown and 38 percent were Latinx. It is hard to believe that these percentages represent an accurate relative proportion of actual criminal behavior. Lacking financial resources for good legal representation, many end up serving prison sentences, some for crimes they did not even commit, but were the wrong color in the wrong place at the wrong time.
With a conviction on one’s record, it becomes very difficult to obtain employment or housing after release. Thus, a person who has served their time and successfully navigated parole is often back out on the street with no way to house or support their family or themselves. The excess of lost annual revenue is nationally estimated in excess of $78 billion; the societal loss to family structure and community solidity is incalculable, and can extend for generations.
The CleanSlate bill would address prison-induced discriminatory issues by expunging the jail/prison record of a convicted person who has completed their sentence and parole/probation and not been charged or convicted subsequently for five years (misdemeanor) or seven years (felony). This would not apply to a person on the sex-offender registry. This program works. A Michigan study found that five years after expungement, cleared individuals were less likely to commit crimes than members of the general public and earned wages more than 25 percent higher than noncleared individuals.
What can you do to help? Contact your legislators. Use this digital tool to e-mail, call and tweet your legislators: www.cleanslateny.org/take-action. It takes less than 30 seconds to use – and makes a huge difference. Share it on social media; e-mail your community.
Together we can help restore the true justice in criminal justice.
Beverly Harris
Lake Hill
Howard Harris for Woodstock Town Board
Howard Harris is my choice for Woodstock Town Board, and I sincerely hope you will join me in voting for him in the Democratic primary election on June 22.
I have known Howard from many years and am proud to call him a friend. He will bring to the position a deep and nuanced understanding of our Zoning Law, earned through his many years as chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Howard has always paid close attention to the workings of the town government, and is well-equipped to help us achieve the best possible outcome for the proposed renovation of the town offices in the Comeau building.
Zoning issues are one of the biggest problems facing Woodstock at this time, and Howard’s perspective will be invaluable in helping the board to navigate the multiple challenges to the Town’s identity that have arisen in the past few years.
Howard offers expertise and critical thinking leavened with a good sense of humor. We need him on the Woodstock Town Board. Let’s make that happen!
Jeff Moran
Woodstock
Congratulations, New Paltz High School Drama Club
As we enter into the chaos of the end of the school year, it was so refreshing to sit back and relax in person, inside the New Paltz High School (NPHS) auditorium for two spectacular productions. Into the Woods, featuring the Drama Club seniors, was outstanding! Andrew Geher as the Baker and Jessica Dugatkin as the Baker’s Wife – such chemistry and beautiful voices to match! The hilarity of Rhys Weires as the Mysterious Man, plus Mark LaBorde and Jack Hyland as the Princes – so entertaining! I was in this production in college as the Witch, but I could not even hold a candle to the talent of Queen Irving – she was absolutely breathtaking! Ryan Hovey as Jack, Paris White as Cinderella, Calla Savelson as Jack’s mother and Ruthie Crosby-Lizarde as Little Red Riding Hood were magical! Plus, you can’t have Cinderella without her stepfamily; Rebecca Ingrassia, Jordan Bailin and Anna Adams were great.
Just when I thought I had seen it all, I came back this past weekend for Broadway: The Revival. The freshmen, sophomores and juniors brought to life some of Broadway’s best numbers. Standouts were Ryan Hyland and Jamie Newell performing “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” (The Book of Mormon), Christine Vigliotti performing “Home” (Beetlejuice), Solo Diedhiou and Julia Demskie performing “Ironic” (Jagged Little Pill) and so many others! Thank you to Nancy Owen for bringing theater back to NPHS!
Bonnie Edwards
New Paltz
Remember & honor what’s really important
I am the kind of person who says “Hi” to everyone, and one of the wonderful things I noticed, as the weather got warmer and more people were out, was that so many more people said “Hi” back, smiled at me and were genuinely connecting on a more human level than I usually see around here. I felt like the people in our area had really learned how important human contact and kindness really are – that a shining light was coming out of the darkness of the pandemic.
But a few days ago, I was riding on the rail trail and I noticed such a difference. Some people smiled, responded to my greetings and made that connection, but so many not only didn’t smile, they didn’t even respond, eyes straight ahead.
I have been hoping and praying that some good would come out of these many months of privation, isolation and such sadness for many: a real appreciation of life, of what is really important – of course, time with our family and friends, being able to actually get out and do things; but also kindness, because most of us had a chance to give and receive it during these many months. Let’s not forget. Let’s not have this trial we were given be for naught. Remember and honor what’s really important in these lives we’ve been given, please.
Amy Kletter
New Paltz
Joltin’ Joe has left & gone away
The press is the enemy of the people whenever it deliberately presents news stories in a manner which makes a political candidate, leader or party look bad…or good. This can be done by exaggerating, minimizing or ignoring a party’s failures or successes. The following is a parody of the song from the old sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? titled “Unbiased Press, Where Are You?” It is a commentary on the mainstream media’s cheerleading for the political party whose views they support and the danger it poses to freedom.
Protestors set buildings ablaze
in Portland and DC
Newsmen called them mostly peaceful
on CNN and NBC
Though it really wasn’t fair
They said there was no story there
Unbiased press, where are you?
People surging at our border
But they say the border’s closed
They think that people will not notice
That they’re really being hosed
Biden stopped all camera crews
‘Cos he didn’t like the news
Freedom of the press, where are you?
Job reports are disappointing
Inflation rates are on the rise
The press plays the story down
But that should be no big surprise
They like Biden’s policy today
Of increased unemployment pay
Unbiased press, where are you?
“The virus came from a Chinese lab”
The press ridiculed this view
They said that Trump was just a racist
And his charge couldn’t be true
Seems Trump’s view wasn’t so wrong
The press is now changing its song
Unbiased press, where were you?
Morning Joe is on each day
Trump is still troubling his mind
Mika speaks of him a lot
But her words are never kind
Trump was always the accused
But Biden’s failures are excused
Unbiased press, where are you?
Biden’s son had a laptop
That he sent to be repaired
The New York Post printed the story
The media didn’t want it shared
No matter what the story said
They put the story right to bed
Hey journalism, where are you?
Biden shut our pipelines down
No Dem thought it was absurd
He started Russia’s oil flowing
The press corps hardly said a word
American workers suffered pain
Russian workers only gain
Unbiased press, where are you?
“Where have you gone, DiMaggio?”
Paul Simon asked in his great song
He said our nation needed him
Long before Biden came along
But Jolting Joe had gone away
And journalism died that day
Edward R. Murrow, where are you?
George Civile
Gardiner
Return Joe Maloney to UC Legislature
I cannot think of a more suitable candidate than Joe Maloney to return to the Ulster County Legislature. He will confront the issues, debate the status quo that make up our “representative government” and not be intimidated to ask the tough questions.
His “unique style,” as the former chairwoman stated, is certainly a means to an end that lawmakers, representatives and the electorate should embrace.
Not your typical politician, Joe shies away from social gatherings, preferring the company of his family and focusing on the issues affecting the people who elected him. He is results-oriented with an eye on the endgame.
His experience on policy, the issues, his photographic memory, his drive, work ethic, family values and sixth sense are qualities that guide him every day. Please return Joe Maloney to the Legislature, where he can put those talents to use for the greater good and for the good of all.
Vote in the Democratic Primary for Joe Maloney, Ulster County Legislature, District 2 (representing Malden-on-Hudson, Barclay Heights and parts of the Village of Saugerties). Early voting starts Saturday, June 12 at the Senior Center in Saugerties. Vote in person or by absentee ballot, but be sure to vote June 22.
Paul Andreassen
Malden-on-Hudson
Make love not war
The opposite of warfare is lovefare: when two nations shower affection upon one another.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Warren Wiegand for Gardiner Town Board
The Gardiner Democratic Committee has endorsed my candidacy for the Town Board in the June 22 primary election. I would like your support based on my extensive track record and plans for the future.
I have spent the last 18 years working to make Gardiner a good place to live and raise a family. My contributions include being a leader in building the new library, saving farms and open space from development and providing smart financial management to the town. I have served on the Town Board for 12 years, including eight as the deputy supervisor. Also, I’ve served on Gardiner’s Board of Assessment Review, chair of the Library’s Fundraising Committee, chair of the Open Space Commission and member of the Planning Board.
In addition to my experience, I believe my values and temperament will be important during the current unsettled times. I’ve lived in Gardiner for 38 years, so I know what the people of Gardiner want: to be able to enjoy a rural, affordable life in our beautiful town. Additionally, people who know me say I’m a thoughtful person who listens carefully to all points of view before making decisions.
If elected, I will continue to focus on using taxpayers’ money prudently. I will work to preserve working farms and to protect open space from development. I will lead the effort to ensure that Gardiner’s land-use laws are fair to both current and future property-owners. And I will work to create opportunities to ensure that people are able to afford to live in Gardiner – especially the elderly and young families.
I hope you will vote for me on June 22, so we can preserve what’s good about Gardiner and make it even better in the future for more people.
Warren Wiegand
Gardiner
Back onstage
With the heat rising the past few days, I was so grateful to escape into the New Paltz High School auditorium for live theater! This past weekend, I had the opportunity to see Broadway: The Revival. These talented students performed songs from Broadway shows and reminded us of all that we have been through since March 2020. From much beloved shows such as The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago to newcomers such as Beetlejuice and Frozen, I now have a whole list of shows I want to see as Broadway reopens. Congratulations to Eamonn Rynne, William Weston, Nicholas Kutzin, Melissa Cino, Davion Mumper, Solo Diedhou, Christine Vigliotti, Ryan Hyland, Jamie Newell, Jenna Triguero, Julia Demskie, Delia Nocito, Anna Adams, Julia Crofton, Arianna Phillips, Mina Pine, Lindsey Clinton, Ana Kirsch, Willa Voorhis, Alicia Veranes Suarez and everyone involved.
The community, the world has missed theater this past year. But I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for the performers, directors, crews and everyone it takes to put on a show. Thank you to Nancy Owen for sharing the inspiring message of this production and directing these young people – giving them the opportunity to perform once again.
Julianne Wilson
Tillson
Nina & Tim for Saugerties Town Board
I am so inspired by two of the candidates running in the Democratic primary for Saugerties Town Board that I felt inspired to write. I believe Saugerties is poised to be “the next craze” as Hudson Valley towns go. That raises all sorts of exciting possibilities, and of course concerns, for our lifestyles, jobs, real estate and beautiful local environment.
As a longtime resident who cares deeply for Saugerties, I have heard all of the Democratic candidates speak. Each time I have heard Nina Schumbaur and Tim Scott speak about the above issues and their policy and community ideas, I have noted how informed, kind, courageous and substantive they are, as candidates who love their hometown and as citizens of the world. Their ideas are fresh, well-thought-out and practicable. To read about their plans, see Citizens for Saugerties on Facebook and Instagram and on the Web at citizensforsaugerties.com.
Voting in this primary is easier than ever, with early voting for all at the Saugerties Senior Center, no matter your district, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from June 12 until June 21, including weekends. The actual primary, at individual polling places, is on June 22. I would encourage all of your Saugerties readers to make it to the polls for this primary and to confidently vote for Team Nina and Tim as stewards and boosters of our charming town.
Deena Turner
Saugerties
Chips
Since my wife tells me my hearing is going south, a full-page ad in the online paper caught my eye: It is promoting a miracle of a hearing aid that works from an implanted tiny microchip in the ear. But I am concerned about how that chip might interact with the microchip that Bill Gates arranged to be inserted into my COVID vaccine. (I didn’t find out about that until after I reluctantly [my wife again] got the damn shots!)
I figure the ear chip will stay put, more or less, but I assume that Gates’ chip will circulate throughout my body…until its battery runs out, at least. But what might happen if the two somehow meet in my ear, at some point? Might that foul up not only my hearing, but also other things? (The hearing aid costs almost $500!)
I especially wonder about this after I heard about Dr. Sherri Tenpenny’s revelation that the vaccine might have made me, and others, magnetized. I mean, if – as she testified to the Ohio Legislature – vaccinated people can make spoons stick to their foreheads (https://wapo.st/3zi6G2j), could my miracle ear hearing aid be pulled out of my ear by the magnetism and get stuck on my forehead? Or could it go the other way and actually be pulled into my brain?
I’m considering using my stimulus check to buy the miraculous ear thing, but not until I get some more expert opinions. I’ll bet Dr. Faker Fauci doesn’t have answers to my questions. Or, he might say one thing today and something entirely different tomorrow.
Tom Denton
Highland
Live theater returns to New Paltz High School
Live theater is officially back! A few weeks ago, I got to see Into the Woods at New Paltz High School. I have seen this show on Broadway and many productions since then. This particular production still has me smiling nonstop.
Paris White as Cinderella had such a beautiful voice and brought such a sincerity to the character and the show. Queen Irving as the Witch: I wanted her to sing and be on the stage the entire time. Into the Woods, of course, revolves around the Baker and Baker’s Wife, played by Andrew Geher and Jessica Dugatkin. I can’t believe that they’re only high school seniors, they are so talented! Two of my favorite songs in the show (in any production) are “Giants in the Sky,” performed by Ryan Hovey as Jack, and “Agony,” performed by Mark LaBorde and Jack Hyland as the Princes. Ryan performed with such heart and passion; Mark and Jack provided the humor for the show. Ruthie Crosby-Lizarde as Little Red Riding Hood had a beautiful voice and had the perfect combination of sass and little-kid whiny attitude. Eliza Behrke as Rapunzel, that voice – she truly stood out under all of that hair.
I know this show like the back of my hand, and I can’t imagine doing Into the Woods with a three-person pit band. Kudos to Dan Young, Pete Nobile and Chris Losee; these three never missed a bit and, although carrying the weight of a full pit, these three were so professional and kept the music alive.
It’s not possible to find anything bad to say about this production. Congratulations to all involved!
Jamie Hauser
New Paltz
Making Gardiner even better
Having lived in Gardiner for some ten years, I realize that the way to improve life in our community is engaging an active volunteer base. Those who volunteer lend their expertise to assisting the library, Fire Department, parks, as well as serving on Town Boards. When the opportunity presents itself, the citizens of Gardiner must acknowledge their contributions and, where possible, place them in a position of power. Such an opportunity exists on June 22, when town Democrats go to the primary polls and select their nominee for Town Board. Hopefully, given what I just presented, we select Carol Richman.
Carol’s dedication to the town can be seen in her long association as a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee and the Planning Board. What really stands out, however, is her willingness to stand for her principles, rather than just “rubber-stamping” a project. Last week, Hudson Valley One published an article on the recent Planning Board meeting, wherein Carol objected to the board’s intention to approve a development even as the approval process appeared to discount the town’s recently completed Natural Resources Inventory. This illustrates that she is not afraid to stand up and that she cares about the environment. As a member of Climate Smart Gardiner, an organization that is advocating the adoption of the NRI into a local law, I am thrilled to see this.
Please note: This was not a one-time occurrence. Ms. Richman has consistently been willing to express her agreements and dissatisfactions to the Town Boards. This, coupled with her background as an attorney, makes her an invaluable resource. For these reasons, the Gardiner Democratic Committee has endorsed Carol Richman to replace Dave Dukler on the Town Board. I voted for her on that endorsement, and I will vote for her on June 22. I urge you to do likewise.
Stephen J. Weir
Gardiner
Elect Howard Harris
The polls open at 6 a.m. on June 22 for the Democratic primary elections to choose two Town Board members who have chosen not to run for office in Woodstock. There are three candidates for the two open seats. Of the three candidates, I support and recommend Howard Harris to be a Town Board member.
Howard is a retired New York City detective and a 30-year resident of Woodstock. In Woodstock, he served many years as a volunteer and held the position of chairman of the Woodstock Zoning Board for 15 years. As a dedicated volunteer, he has expert command of the Woodstock Zoning Law. as well as being extremely well-versed in the Woodstock Town Code. Howard is hardworking and will offer strong representation for us as the Town Board manages our town.
Please vote for Howard Harris in the Democratic primary election. Harris is good for Woodstock.
Jim Dougherty
Woodstock
Pandemic Memorial Day: Memorial Day 2021
I was regularly dropped off at Sunday school in the early ‘50s, where I learned the Ten Commandments. “Thou shall not kill” is the one I have had to return to often in my later life. I was taught by our culture that murderers went to Death Row for killing other human beings.
When I was a senior in high school, the Vietnam War had started. I joined the Marine Corps, and in boot camp I was trained, like every Marine before me, how to kill the enemy. The drill instructor told us that the Viet Cong were monsters who raped and pillaged and deserved our bullets and bombs.
After boot camp, I went to training as a helicopter metalsmith, then was stationed at a Marine Air Base in New River, North Carolina. There, the trance of training lessened enough to contemplate why I was going to war. I was living with men who returned from Vietnam. I heard their rage at feeling used in the war by our government – how they were told to kill anything that moved, so numbers of dead enemy could be sent home, showing the public we were winning the war. In the newspapers, I became aware of protests going on all over our country.
Then I was sent to Vietnam, in 1969. There I awakened to what that war was really about. At least a third of the men I was stationed with were disheartened and angry that their lives were laid on the line for a war most of our own generation was protesting as unjust.
I returned from Vietnam after being a helicopter gunner who flew many missions. It took years for the spin of war to slow enough to reflect on what happened to me to lose faith in the war. I awakened to the fact that I’d broken all the commandments, and moral oaths I’d taken as a child. We were called baby-killers, and it was hard to accept that any of our killing was justified. Only when we killed because comrades had been killed did it ever resemble being fair. I still have nowhere to store the images of pushing barrels of napalm out of a helicopter on unknown targets below, because the rule was, they could not be returned to base.
During the pandemic, I watched the Capitol being stormed by men and women, many who’d been in or were still in the military. I was outraged, and it’s taken me time to wake to the fact that I still feel betrayed by the leadership that sent me and millions into an unjust war. Did I act out against our country? No, but I will not keep my mouth shut either.
Today the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are seen by the majority of our public as unjust wars. There are fewer men and women killing enemy because of drones and automated weapons. Still, many in the active military feel morally responsible for lives taken for politics, capital and power for the political elite and wealthy. I think that some of the Capitol protestors wanted to take down the government’s politicians because they felt manipulated and that their lives were being used for power and control by the wealthy – not unlike many Vietnam vets felt. The similarities are that the suicide rates of both Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are occurring at about the same rate as Vietnam veterans, which now must have exceeded 100,000. One difference may be that the government during the Vietnam War perpetrated the violence upon the protestors. At the Capitol, it was the protestors perpetrating violence on the government leadership.
Moral injury is what is destroying the underpinning of our trust in our government and our military. Until we as a country learn to honor the lives of those we ask to protect us, we will spiral into a chaos that will result in our destruction before the consequences of our environmental denial brings the end.
The key factor that is missed in health care is that veteran suicides come more from what our soldiers do to their enemies without moral justification than what their enemies may have done to them. Lack of moral justification is happening in our government today.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
Vote For Warren Wiegand
I have had the pleasure of serving on the Gardiner Town Board with Warren Wiegand for six years.
Warren’s accomplishments are well-known: helping to build the new Gardiner Library, being at the center of the efforts to preserve open space and serving on the Gardiner Planning Board, to name just a few. What may not be apparent is that Warren makes it easy for others to serve alongside him. He is thoughtful and hardworking, putting in the time to be prepared for discussions. He is at the center of many issues, often being the first to volunteer for some task or other and lead the board forward. He is always keeping an eye on the public purse and never makes a decision without considering the financial aspects of any decision.
At the end of the day, whether we agree or disagree, he is always ready to move on to the next issue with grace and good humor. He serves as an example of how to be a board member by showing us all what both advocacy and disagreement need to be if we are to work together to solve the problems we face. His focus is always on making Gardiner a good place for all of us.
We should all be so fortunate to be able to serve with such a colleague. Vote for Warren for the Gardiner Town Board on June 22.
David Dukler
Gardiner
Thank you for bringing live theater back
This has been a long year. My daughters and I always make the rounds of heading to all of the local high schools for musical season. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen in 2020 because of Covid, and we weren’t sure what this spring would bring. One of our favorite local haunts is New Paltz High School; they never disappoint. Thankfully, this year they put on not one, but two wonderful productions!
We were able to attend Into the Woods and Broadway: The Revival as a family, plus with my sister, niece and nephew – our first family gathering since the beginning of the pandemic. Into the Woods is a long show, but this creative, talented cast kept my four-year-old nephew engaged the entire time. Although he spent most of the show wondering which scenes would feature the cow, he enjoyed everything else as well.
I remember seeing Andrew Geher as Jack and Ryan Hovey as Crutchie in Newsies. It was so exciting to see them take the stage as the Baker and Jack. Jessica Dugatkin as the Baker’s Wife and Queen Irving as the Witch were perfectly cast. And Mark LaBorde with that howl as the Wolf!
Broadway: The Revival introduced us to some shows we weren’t familiar with, but it also featured songs from some of our favorite shows. Delia Nocito performing one of my favorites, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” (Phantom of the Opera), brought tears to my eyes. All of the kids are huge fans of Frozen; Ryan Hyland and Jenna Triguero shone in their number. I saw Hamilton in 2019, and Lindsey Clinton, Ana Kirsch, Willa Voorhis and Solo Diedhou should be on Broadway!
Congratulations to Nancy Owen, the cast and crew on a great show – thank you all for bringing live theater back to the community.
Adrienne Mitchell-Smith
Highland
Keeping the status quo
One of these days, if not already, and if things continue to go the way they are going, you will look out your window and not be happy with what you see. Visit bringbackwdstk.blogspot.com.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Project Access 2 a success by Woodstock PD
In April, I introduced to Chief Clayton a project I assisted in creating in Albany. It is an every-three-month sweep of people illegally parked in accessible (handicapped) parking spaces designed for people with disabilities. To my great surprise, Chief Clayton and his staff have been doing a fantastic job of taking on said project and have been successfully ticketing violators. Heads up, Woodstock, as these designated parking spaces are being paid attention to by our local law enforcement. Many tickets have already been issued, hence showing the blatant abuse of said parking spaces is obviously and sadly quite prevalent.
My goal is that Project Access 2 become countywide. This program has proven to be a great success in Albany to date. In Albany, the fine is $250; I’m not sure what the fine is in Woodstock. I’m simply excited that Chief Clayton didn’t hesitate, nor did his officers. Thank you, Woodstock Police Department for listening and acting; the community of people with disabilities, including myself, greatly appreciate the attention being paid on people illegally parked in spaces designated for people with disabilities.
One minute is one minute too long. Disability does not discriminate. As a retired EMT of many years, I’ve seen people’s lives change in a quick second. Many people with disabilities are quite independent; many work, play, enjoy our local live music. We are all a community with many people, so thank you again, Woodstock Police Department, and those of you who respect said parking spaces.
Jacqueline Manganaro
Woodstock
Bicycles are vehicles, same as cars
First, in response to your letter from this past week, you complain about the number of cars, yet also complain about bicycles on the roads. Which is it? Will you next be complaining about the number of people walking on the sidewalk? Perhaps if you support more bicycle transit, you will find that the number of car trips declines to a level that better suits your mood.
Secondly, in response to your letter from two weeks ago, Mr. Nathe, let me start with some New York legal definitions from the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) – shortened for space, full text available easily online.
§ 1231. Every person riding a bicycle…upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
§ 1234. Upon all roadways, any bicycle shall be driven either on…the right-hand edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder…or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along near the right-hand edge. Conditions to be taken into consideration include fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, surface hazards or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.
§ 1146. Drivers to exercise due care. Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist upon any roadway and shall give warning when necessary.
§ 1122. The operator of a vehicle overtaking, from behind, a bicycle proceeding on the same side of a roadway shall pass to the left of such bicycle at a safe distance until safely clear thereof.
Third, those signs that you see on the roadways are not saying that bicycles are riding in “their lane”; they are reminding drivers that bicycles are riding in “the” traffic lane – i.e., the same lane that cars are driving in, precisely because of the lack of suitable bicycle lanes. Bicycles are no more required to ride in the “couple inches of crumbling pavement” that you mention than cars are required to drive on the same crumbling shoulders. Your insertion and idea that the signs show that bicycles should be relegated to a nonexistent shoulder (“their lane”) shows the second-class status that cycling is given by most car drivers. If you have a problem with cyclists riding on “your” roads, then you should spend your time writing letters to the legislators asking them to spend more money on dedicated bicycle paths alongside the most-traveled roads, as opposed to telling others to get off your lawn.
Fourth, by saying “Do not ride on these roads,” you are attempting to restrict the freedom of others to operate a legal vehicle on the public roads of New York State. It would be the same as me telling you, “Do not wear a red hat,” or “Do not read a book in the park.” Cars need (read: required by law) to respect the rider of a bicycle as any other citizen operating a vehicle. If there is not enough room to pass, then they are required by law (VTL § 1122) to wait until there is safe room to pass.
I do not spend my time complaining about you driving your car on public roads, but perhaps with your recent letter I should be more wary. I would recommend that if you are concerned, then don’t drive your car on these roads, as I will be there with my bicycle and five-year-old out getting groceries or going to the playground. Beware of our terrible bicycle traveling 15 miles per hour with our flashing lights and waving orange-and-green flag! That last part is a joke, but everyone is warned to take care that we will be riding on the roads, and it is your duty to be watching out for us, by law.
Lastly, this is a good opportunity to bring up to the Town the fact that there are few, if any, sanctioned bicycle parking spots in the town. I recently took my child to Duzine School for kindergarten screening and found zero bicycle parking spots. In the downtown area, there is one broken-down, terrible rack outside Main Street Bistro (no offense, Doug). Hasbrouck Park has a single rack with three spaces. How has a town located on the Empire Trail not installed bicycle parking? Where has all the state money gone, that it could not include parking for the new bicycle tourists (and local residents)? I will personally take it upon myself to construct bicycle parking, if there is no other government involvement, merely to have a safe place to park the bicycle which transports me and my young child to town several times a week.
If you are interested in helping to make a set of great bicycle parking racks for downtown New Paltz, contact me at newpaltzbikeracks@gmail.com. Maybe we can finally make New Paltz a safe and enjoyable place to bicycle.
Matt Rogers
New Paltz
Vote for Warren Wiegand June 22
This year on June 22, Gardiner residents will have the opportunity to select two candidates to be placed on the November ballot for the Gardiner Town Board. I am asking you to support Warren Wiegand.
I have had the privilege of working with Warren on the Gardiner Town Board for the past three-and-a-half years. Warren comes to board meetings prepared to discuss the agenda topics with an open mind. He listens to others and often helps steer the board to move along through difficult situations. He has constructive input that I find quite valuable, especially during budget season.
Warren has served on the Town Board, Planning Board, Board of Assessment Review. He was instrumental in raising funds for open space and the Library. He has served the Gardiner community for over 18 years. He pays close attention to our infrastructure needs and prioritizes those needs in accordance with available funding sources.
The Town Board is in the process of updating the Comp Plan, and Warren’s knowledge and background will be helpful as we proceed through this process. On June 22, I ask you to vote for Warren Wiegand to continue to serve the residents of Gardiner. It is important that the Town Board has members that understand the workings and unique character of our Town.
Marybeth Majestic
Gardiner Town Supervisor
Will you care?
I wake up every morning and smile as I hear the morning birds and the croaking frogs in my pond. I start my day with a thoughtful breakfast that nurtures my body. I turn on the news and become informed about the latest in the world. Sometimes it makes me feel good. More often it upsets me. But I still listen and then think about the current challenges for our nation. Sometime during the day, I pray for our country and for the world, that we can find a way to shift toward a more caring society and planet. I understand, though, that the change must begin with me.
What would a caring society look like? How would it be different than our current society? I have some ideas, but they are my ideas. Each of us needs to take the time to imagine what a more caring society would look like from their point of view. Together we can shift things. But where do we go from imagining?
Would you be willing to take some time every day to develop your ability to care? Maybe you could start by caring a little more about yourself. It’ll be easier to care about others if you get better at caring for yourself, including your body, your heart, your belly, your health in general, your present situation and your wishes, dreams and goals.
Slowing down just a little will also help your ability to care. See if you can smell the flowers that are blooming everywhere. Or notice the colors of the flowers and the different shades of green from the trees and leaves. Noticing the beauty in nature really helps us feel the blessing of being alive. Take a breath or two. Will you join me? Will you care?
This is just the first of a series of articles I plan to write about caring. Stay tuned for more of my thoughts.
Marty Klein
Woodstock
Accidents almost assured
Drivers often cannot see what is just in front of them. Two cars, each driving 45 miles per hour – which is often the posted speed limit on Ulster County roads – are closing the gap between each other at 44 yards per second. That’s one football field every three seconds: back of the end-zone to back of the end-zone. So, when you crest a small hill, you might find three bicycles riding on your side, or a pedestrian, dog-walker, fawn or other inconvenient reality and a car approaching on the other, and every experienced driver knows this feeling, which is, politely, “Uh-oh!”
What to do? I suggest our DOT reduce speeds on roads with limited sightlines, and also on roads with above-average accident rates, unpaved shoulders and worn-out pavement. Drivers who are so good they can get around this predicament with ease are, “Survey shows!” almost all of us. Yes, consistently we rate ourselves “above-average” drivers. Maybe that’s why so many of us are getting the “left-hand salute” (look it up, soldier).
Accidents are almost assured by the mess our roads are in! And speeding!
Paul Nathe
New Paltz
Howard Harris for Town Board
We have an important election coming up.
Howard Harris is a great choice for the Woodstock Town Board. He is honest and will best represent the taxpayer in town government – especially with spending, noting waste and processing town contracts fairly.
After listening to the two-hour WDC ZOOM debate on 6/11/21 (also recorded), it became clear Howard has the most experience: 15 years on the Zoning Board with practical knowledge of construction, housing, broadband communication, noise and traffic controls, police reform and the Comeau Town Office project proposal.
If you care about Woodstock’s future, please vote early at the Community Center or on June 22 at your regular polling station.
Pat Horner
Willow
Onteora Lake development
The Bluestone Wild Forest and Onteora Lake in Kingston are at risk, due to a proposed concrete and steel factory to be built on adjacent land at 850 Route 28.
This is a tragedy in-the-waiting. People come from near and far to enjoy the quiet, lush 3,000-acre park, which surrounds the former quarry where the construction will take place. They and the wildlife will have to endure constant blasting for years before the factory begins operations. Then it will run 24/7, pouring large trucks onto the highway.
The fate of this gateway to the Catskill Forest Preserve lies with the Town of Kingston and its Town and Planning Boards. The town has about 900 inhabitants. But the Bluestone Wild Forest draws thousands to its trails and lakes – to hike, bike, fish, swim, boat, picnic or just sit and enjoy the pristine lake.
On June 21, the town Planning Board will hold a virtual public hearing on the project. Past, pre-Covid hearings drew hundreds of passionate participants. The issue has been ongoing for the past two years, but may be coming to a head shortly.
Concerned residents and groups such as Catskill Mountainkeeper and the Woodstock Land Conservancy want the Planning Board to require an Environmental Impact Statement to study all the project impacts. The town must also change the zoning, which currently doesn’t allow industrial use.
Studies have shown that the industrial development will severely impact water, noise, traffic, wildlife, historical artifacts and the overall enjoyment by human beings of the park. The happiness this treasure of the Catskills brings to thousands will be compromised by this development.
To local residents who care about this forest, please join us in opposing this project and attend the June 21 public hearing. See the Town’s website for more details: www.townkingstonny.us.
Susan Manuel
Woodstock
Campaigning with Todd Baker for Gardiner Town Board
When I heard that Todd Baker was a Democrat running for Gardiner Town board with a “write-in” ballot, I realized that I knew little about him. I knew that he energetically opposed the draft Short-Term Rental Law proposed by the Town Board. I wondered if his opposition was so strong because he had a “property rights” viewpoint and would be against being “told” what he could and could not do with his land and home. But before drawing a conclusion, I contacted him.
In speaking with him, I realized that he too wondered about my values. He had heard that I opposed all development since all development would have negative impacts on Gardiner’s environment.
So together we had an “aha” moment. We had both made assumptions about the other, yet after speaking, we realized that we both wanted the same things.
First, we want more “open” government and better accountability from our board, especially when it comes to proposed legislation. The process of drafting laws should include well-advertised, dedicated listening sessions even before drafting begins. The draft should be rationally based and carefully scrutinized before it is presented to the public for comment.
Second, we both see untapped potential for Gardiner. We both agree that Gardiner’s business district should be revitalized. We both agree that no expansion of our business district can occur without first addressing our infrastructure problems. And now that we are finally in the era of green infrastructure, there is so much we can do with new technology and plan for future decades.
We agree that to make businesses and small farms flourish, we need a variety of housing stock so that a diverse group of people can afford to live here. And we want an inclusive community!
We also agree that further development is part of Gardiner’s inevitable evolution. But if we develop without great concern for both our fragile natural ecosystems and our rural identity, our yet “untapped potential” will be lost forever.
I’m sure that Todd and I will find something to disagree on, but even if we do, I believe I would still advocate for him as a Town Board member. He has the energy and drive to bring Gardiner, with all its extraordinary resources, into a bright future.
Carol Richman
New Paltz
Thanks for Dan Guenther’s memorial
The family of Dan Guenther wishes to thank everyone who participated in the celebration of his life at Hasbrouck Park on June 12. Your tributes to Dan’s life and work, in this community and beyond, were heartwarming and inspiring. And we hope Dan’s life will encourage us all to continue his dedication to make our community and world a better place for all life on this planet.
Dan and Ann’s Family
New Paltz
I am a voter…are you?
On June 22, the Saugerties primary will be here and I am voting for Joe Maloney for County Legislator.
Joe has an incredible way with words and this is not his first foray in local politics. He has gained the trust of the community by re-examining what works and what doesn’t. He does not hang a hat on blind optimism, he has a moral compass that gets things done; a strategist, collaborator and he plans the effective course of action for winning strategies.
As a three-year resident of Ulster County, I have grilled him countless times on issues, and in return he shone a spotlight on what others have ignored, conveyed how he tackles and solves hot topics and expectations, along with how much the environment and accountability matters to him.
He struck a nerve with me (and this should not be a revelation to anyone who knows him) and he does not forget what is meaningful to constituents. Joe has the resolve to make things happen.
At the risk of sounding cliche, he cares about people and the residents of Saugerties. Maloney and his wife Elizabeth are currently raising the fourth generation of Maloney’s right here in Saugerties while owning a local business, therefore, I think it is safe to say he is invested in the expectations of constituents and the hot topics of the era of this new normal.
Maloney has character and his accolades are in sync with my consensus: including initiating term limits, environmental restrictions and tax accountability to affordable housing, health care equality and jail reform, just to name a few…
Until I met Joe, I forgot all too soon about the things I thought could not be changed, or made better…and felt stripped of my ability to find a candidate to articulate the urgent needs of our community.
I am a voter … are you? Vote for Joe Maloney, Legislator District 2 — a candidate who will not procrastinate, someone who will make impactful choices because I think it is easy to see he is a man of integrity.
Andrea Norlander
Saugerties
In defense of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Regarding the letter in the 6/9/21 issue of Hudson Valley One attacking RFK Jr., it is curious that someone with as much medical training as claimed by the author, would submit as proof of debunking RFK Jr.’s stance on safe vaccines, a link to an article that is nothing more than a hit piece with a slew of ad-hominem attacks of RFK Jr. and little discussion of the science safe vaccine proponents hold to be true. The science is what should be discussed, not RFK Jr.’s motives or position in the safe vaccine movement, Big Pharma slanders as “anti-vaxxers.”
The author alleges that “the people initiating it don’t know what they are talking about” in reference to safe vaccine proponents holding up supporting research. Last week’s letter writer is apparently unaware internationally renown virologist Dr. Luc Montagnier, the Nobel Prize Laureate, who discovered the aids virus is in complete agreement with RFK Jr. as is Dr. Judy Mikovitz, one of the pioneers in researching and treating retrovirus’. Dr. Michael Yeadon, former vice president of Pfizer agrees and has been warning the public about these pseudo-vaccines never having been used on humans before. None of these referenced people are anti-vaccine but are indeed for safe vaccines, as is RFK Jr.
Many MD.’s and Ph.D.’s in the medical field agree with RFK Jr. and believe there are safer alternatives to dealing with Covid-19. Ivermectin , for instance, has a 99% effective rate of curbing the worsening of symptoms and reducing longevity of the illness to a matter of days instead of weeks. The January issue of the Lancet, claimed by many to be the most credible peer-reviewed journal in the world, published a study on the effectiveness of Ivermectin (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370%2820%2930464-8/fulltext). Safe vaccine proponents believe, and the law states, if there are alternatives to dealing with a community spread illness, vaccines cannot be mandated.
Delhi, India, with a population of 31 million, solved their spiraling Covid dilemma by handing out Ivermectin and their Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths diminished by 97% in five weeks (https://www.thedesert-
review.com/news/national/ivermectin-obliterates-97-percent-of-delhi-cases/article_6a3be6b2-c31f-11eb-836d-2722d2325a08.html).
RFK Jr., an accomplished environmental lawyer, understands the difference between peer-reviewed science and contrived statistics. He is a shining light during a time of deceit by the Big Pharma Cabal, who would mandate experimental vaccines on a trusting public coerced by fear and not by reason. Visit childrenshealthdefense.org.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
A noisy and loud eyesore
I need to point out a few more things about the Village Board’s proposed skateboard “park” in the southwest corner of Hasbrouck Park. The more I hear about it, the more I am baffled by what, if any, common sense considerations went into the design and planning and the more I am opposed to it. You may want to take a look at this video https://youtu.be/GPOlquMEEdQ.
There is a skateboarding “park” of a sort behind the Youth Center. The arena, or wall, or whatever we call it, could be expanded there. That location has two very good points going for it: there is no adjacent residential area and there is no traffic adjacent to the area. The Village Board needs to explain to us the need for their frivolous plan to install another skateboarding facility in New Paltz. (Instead, they should finally repair the many many sidewalks which are in disrepair in the village!)
But if a new skateboarding facility is needed, there are other, more suitable areas. It appears that the south side of Main Street has by far many fewer dwellings than the north side does. By implication, many more actual and potential skateboarding kids live on the north side of Main Street. They would be closer to a skateboarding facility by Moriello Pool and even by the Community Center, without needing to cross Main Street in order to skate in the damaged Hasbrouck Park.
The mayor listed in his June 2 letter in Hudson Valley One all the Full Environmental Assessment Form (FEAF) points that the “pit” project (on the OTHER side of Hasbrouck Park!) would have to go through. The FEAF is a well- and long-established process.
For some inexplicable reason the Village Board skateboarding project was NOT submitted to the Planning Board, although its implications for the community, and not just the immediate neighborhood, but the whole town, would be quite disruptive. The Village Board must perform a FEAF! What are they afraid of?
If the Village Board has its way, they must tell us who the contractor would be, who will pay for the construction, who would maintain the facility, what will the whole thing do to the assessment of the neighboring houses, how will our village tax be affected and many more issues.
It is also baffling that the mayor (he lives VERY close to the projected noisy and loud eyesore) is totally in favor of the facility — despite its impact on the traffic, in spite of the noise, in spite of its potential to depreciate the value in the immediate neighborhood. Could it be that our mayor plans to move to yet another New Paltz abode, maybe? Après moi, le déluge.
I urge you all to think about this project, and if you feel that it is not anything we want to have in the Hasbrouck Park, please write letters to Hudson Valley One and to the Village Board and ask to read your public comments at the Village Board meetings.
Misha Harnick
New Paltz
Cast your vote for Howard Harris
As Woodstock prepares for its election for a new Town Board member, I am urging everyone to vote for Howard Harris. I have known Howard for over 30 years, his qualifications are outstanding for the position as a Town Board member. He tirelessly worked on the Zoning Board for over 15 years as chairman, his knowledge of the zoning law, his dedication to the town and his dedication for the enrichment of Woodstock has always been his number-one priority. Go onto Howard’s blog, bringbackwdstk.blogspot.com for all the facts and information that will have you casting your vote for Howard Harris.
Marie Lourenso
Bearsville
Vote for Carol Richman on June 22
For those of you that might not be aware, Gardiner has moved from a Democratic caucus to a primary this year. Early voting has already begun for the primary. The closest location is at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge or in Kingston. It is very important to get out and vote in the primary in Gardiner this year. There is quite a race for a Town Board seat.
Carol Richman is a local attorney and Gardinerite. She has been active in the Gardiner Democratic Committee as well as in local groups. Her practice covers personal interest law and environmental issues. Just that alone would make her a good level-headed candidate to join the Gardiner Town Board. Her experience goes one step further. She has been a member of the Gardiner Planning Board since 2015. She is a fierce advocate for Gardiner and its rural local charm as well as our incredible natural environment that must be protected. Carol sees the big picture.
Carol plans on focusing on five main goals:
1. Promoting affordable housing that does not physically marginalize its residents.
2. Protecting Gardiner’s natural environment, biodiversity, wildlife habitats and aquifers, including promoting educational opportunities for the public.
3. Finding creative solutions to promote local business in Gardiner, including small farms.
4. Working with Climate Smart and additionally promoting rooftop and yard solar energy.
5. Creating bike lanes and walkways that provide people with more recreational opportunities and alternative transport to businesses, finding way to minimize the ever-increasing road congestion and promoting road safety.
I urge you to vote for Carol Richman on June 22 at the Gardiner Town Hall.
Melissa Servant
Gardiner
Join the family! 
