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.
New Paltz officials’ joint statement on masks
The New Paltz COVID-19 Emergency Group, consisting of municipal leaders and formed in March 2020, has issued a statement to the public about the need for mask-wearing in New Paltz:
“COVID-19 cases are on the rise in New Paltz and the region attributable to the highly contagious Delta variant. The vaccination rate in our community is good among those eligible. This is generally positive news, except that our children under the age of 12 cannot receive the protection a vaccine affords. We have hundreds of local kids who are not protected from a variant of the virus that is of an order of magnitude more contagious than the initial virus. This is disturbing on many levels. It was previously thought that kids were less susceptible, but that thought no longer holds true. In fact, children can suffer a range of symptoms, from mild to requiring hospitalization, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported that 26 percent of new COVID-19 cases nationally were in children.
Perhaps it bears repeating that in children, too, COVID-19 symptoms such as heart and pulmonary issues, brain fog and loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months. It’s a terribly frightening thing for a child to experience and parents, guardians and caregivers to live with, while hoping for full recovery.
In New Paltz, there have been requests made to community representatives to enact a mandate requiring masks to be worn in any indoor public place. Business owners cite issues with non-mask-wearing persons in their spaces, despite asking for them to be worn. Residents don’t feel safe in some settings even though they are vaccinated. Tensions mount; arguments ensue.
Due to the rise in infections, Village and Town Boards recently directed mandatory mask-wearing in municipal buildings; the Village has tabled in-person meetings; and the Town is shifting to do the same. SUNY New Paltz has an indoor mask mandate for all employees, students and visitors. New Paltz municipal, campus and school district officials are taking the necessary steps within their powers to help curtail the virus spread.
This is where you come in. It’s a simple, heartfelt request: Please wear your mask when inside a public space. We need to keep our kids safe and in school. They need to learn and not be interrupted by a suspension of in-person classes, as well as the many social benefits of personal interaction. But more importantly, we need to protect these children from this insidious disease so they, and others, can have healthy and full lives. We need to keep our community safe.
So, mask up, cover your nose, mouth and chin. Be a good citizen – a kind and considerate community member – and protect our littlest ones and our neighbors. Let’s work together to keep New Paltz healthy and show that New Paltz cares. You can do this. We can do this together, and we thank everyone for joining together with us on this critical public health issue.”
New Paltz Village Board
New Paltz Town Board
State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz Central School District
New Paltz Police Department
New Paltz Fire Department
New Paltz Rescue Squad
Woodland Pond
Don’t tread on them
Hey Texas: Take your Lone Star back; we’re good with 49. I say, “Cut ’em loose!” and return Texas to Mexico; provide an airlift to women who want to escape. The GOP Texas Taliban is in action, thanks to snakes…err, I mean Senate Minority Leader McConnell and Donald Trump having corrupted the Supreme Court with unqualified right-wing judges. In a 5-4 decision handed down by five members of the court’s conservative wing, Texas has effectively departed from the mainstream majority and the Supreme Court failed America.
It became clear and horrifying that they were sanctioning, by their silence, the concept of “bounty-hunting” by citizenry and allowing a state to establish that to circumvent the law of the land. It could have been stopped in its tracks until the legal issues could be argued fully. Instead, they allowed for the gutting of an almost-50-year-old precedent in Roe v. Wade. Was the election of imPOTUS #45 the GOP’s final nail in the coffin after 40+ years of strategic maneuvering?
Justice Roberts’ court will be remembered as one of the worst courts in history. He was trying to save his name with his dissent against this action. He can’t. The Constitution says judges who act in bad faith can be impeached, just sayin’. All three of Trump’s appointments should be impeached!
On the surface, this draconian Texas law is about babies, but what it really is about is punishing and controlling women. The “Good Old Boys” are scared because their reign is ending. They’re trying to put women back in their place. Women have clearly been attacked, minimized and are now unable to make decisions regarding their own bodies. This is good old US eugenics and white supremacist Christian fundamentalism forcing others to live by their religious laws. It doesn’t belong in our country. Land of the free? I don’t think so!
It’s been happening for a while, and will continue to happen unless “the people” who have power actually stop it! Boycott the following companies who are headquartered in Texas: AT&T, ExxonMobil, Dell, Kimberly-Clarke and Southwest Airlines. Make your voices heard with your wallets and tell them they need to support women’s rights. Boycott any entertainer or performer who plays in Texas. This is not acceptable and a blatant violation of the civil rights of every woman in the United States.
If Republicans are voted in and take the House in 2022, they will be able to stop the Dems from doing anything, and also keep doing everything they want to. We’ll soon be rendered powerless once all the voter restrictions are in place. They’re coming for all of us…one way or another! This country as we know it will be done. Everyone must stand up en masse; if not, two years from now, people will say, “How did this all happen?”
It is kinda “sick” funny: When it’s death by gun, it is hopes and prayers, but when it’s an abortion, it’s sue them and use the law to stop them. Call me crazy, but I hope someday women have more rights than guns do.
What a shame that this inaccurate, biased, judgmental and unethical Texas law against women is getting momentum in other reactionary Republican states. It is nothing more than a human rights violation committed by so-called “civilized Americans. Yeah, everyone’s coming up with clever “workarounds” to circumvent this Texas Taliban – when the real answer is, “Just don’t take rights away from women!”
I know that women will remember, push back and vote when provoked. Men must be 100 percent supportive and fight by their side to squash this ruthless law and any others like it.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Change for climate
Regarding future development along Route 28, I understand that there are several sites ripe for renewal. There is the Dunkin’ Donuts proposal for the corner of Route 375 and there is a proposal to put a new gas station diagonally across from Stewarts at Zena Road. Both of these ideas have been met with concern about dangers to intersection traffic either from line-up congestion or from the challenge of fuel delivery trucks making a tight turn.
What if the communities involved advocated for new development that includes electric charging stations at these sites for the increasing number of EV’s that are using the Route 28 corridor? These could be part of a wifi cafe/retail concept that would provide space for people to wait and work while their car charges. The proximity to the Ashokan Rail Trail would also be an asset too if access could be provided.
Is there any reason why the communities of Woodstock, West Hurley and Town of Kingston shouldn’t consider and advocate with foresight for the kind of businesses we would welcome on our doorstep?
Sarah Mecklem
Woodstock
Don’t forget true damages from war
Wars do not end – ever. Decades after the last Vietnam veteran left the jungles there, many have died or are battling the growing list of medical conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure. Our government only reluctantly – and kicking and screaming – began to recognize the “collateral” damage of its extensive spraying of a toxic chemical, which even then was known to cause cancer as well as other illnesses.
The VA has recently added to the list of Agent Orange conditions to now include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism, a precursor to Parkinson’s disease. For more information, contact your local VA Service Agency rep or va.gov/disability/howtofile a claim.
Agent Orange is only a part of the story about the aftereffects of war that plague our veterans. Vets from the subsequent wars also face medical issues from toxic exposures, as well as the PTSD that is inherent from facing the horrors of war.
Please do not forget the true damages from war.
Jo Galante Cicale
Saugerties
Unhappy with food service on campus
The quality and service of the food on campus is horrible. Lines to purchase food are long, service is slow and the quality of food is terrible. The campus should get another food service company to replace the current one. I pay too much money to have poor service and poor food quality. Please look into this matter immediately. Thank you.
Tom Smith
SUNY New Paltz
One can only imagine
Am I imagining it, or are Republicans willing to die (of COVID) to disgrace Biden?
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Ban toxic neonic pesticides
This is a call for much-needed action. A bill (S699B) passed in the New York State Senate that partially bans toxic neonic pesticides. We need to press the Assembly to do the same now that they are back in session. The Birds and Bees Protection Act, A7429, would save not only birds and bees, but us as well.
It used to be that washing fruits and vegetables rid them of pesticides, but neonics work systemically and cannot be washed off. Neonics are in our water, soil, food and bodies. They are killing pollinators. (Studies show that even low amounts of chlorpyrifos can cause neurological damage and developmental delays in young children.) France outlawed all neonics; the EU banned the most widely used ones, and Canada is about to follow suit.
New York State lawmakers reconvene this month, and one of their first public hearings concerns toxic neonic pesticides. Depending on where you live, please call or e-mail assemblyman Kevin Cahill at (845) 338-9610 or at cahill@nyassembly.gov. Otherwise call or e-mail assemblyman Brian Miller at (845) 895-1080 or miller@nyassembly.gov. Tell them to pass A7429 and tell them why.
Doris Chorny
Wallkill
Seeking ideas for video
The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) has explained that they may invite us to give a virtual presentation with a ten-minute-long video in early October to support this grant application we submitted on Wednesday.
The Village of New Paltz is poised to become the REDC’s Round 5 and first-ever village to receive the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award. Having thus identified Childcare, Sidewalks and Stormwater Mitigation as foundational needs we could improve upon in the near term, we are excited to make them the focus of New Paltz’s 2021 DRI application.
We’re looking for ideas for this video. It should “amplify the most important aspects of our community, highlight what makes our community unique and what gives us a competitive advantage, while also addressing any special circumstances that are relevant.”
The complete application can be found on the Village’s website or here: https://tinyurl.com/2mxewwpc.
What do you think? Feedback welcome at assistant@villageofnewpaltz.org.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
Climate crisis
“Climate change” doesn’t seem the appropriate phrase to describe the events of summer 2021; only “climate crisis” will do. If you doubt this, ask the folks in New Orleans driven out of their homes by yet another massive hurricane, or those in California facing relentless fires, or closer to home, New Yorkers in neighborhoods devastated by previously unheard-of rainstorms. The best time to act is clearly past, but all we have is now.
Fortunately, we have a president who seems to grasp the enormity of the crisis. Biden’s reconciliation bill includes – among a host of other measures – genuine climate action. The bill may use financial incentives to speed the closing of coal- and gas-powered energy facilities and encourage renewables. It may use taxes to encourage electric vehicles and heat pumps. It may create a Climate Conservation Corps modeled on the Depression-era CCC. It may include the most efficient means of attacking the climate crisis: a steadily rising tax on carbon, with revenues going back to the public and a border tax adjustment to protect American businesses. All these measures are being debated as Congress tries to hammer the legislation together.
So now may be our best chance to, at last, take substantive steps to address the great challenge of our times. The measures listed above will be part of the bill if the public demands them. So, write or call Washington today. Tell your members of Congress, and the president, that you want a reconciliation bill that will reconcile nature and the human race, and steer the planet away from the worst effects of the climate crisis. In fact, Citizens’ Climate Lobby has online tools to make writing to Congress and the President quick and easy: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/white-house and https://citizensclimatelobby.org/senate.
Rachelle Gura
Woodstock
To the residents of Saugerties
Prior to the COVID pandemic, I frequently attended Legislative Committee meetings. In the early part of 2020, I attended the Public Health Committee meeting and witnessed Legislator Bruno request more information on a one-person, $100,000-a-year program which was replicating a service that New York State was providing. As it turned out, the county’s program was so ineffective that the county executive pulled the request to keep funding it.
So, at his first meeting, newly elected Legislator Bruno saved county taxpayers a hundred grand. I don’t live in his district, nor do I belong to his party, but as a taxpayer, I sure would like to see him get reelected.
Thomas Kadgen
Shokan
Too cool for pool?
Here in New Paltz, despite decades of global warming, the Town pool shuts down on Labor Day. Always has, too. As HV1 readers who read the excellent Astronomy column know, the longest day for sunshine is June 21, but even then, our pool is only open weekends. We need a much longer swim season: at least seven days a week; and since I am delicate, I want the pool heated.
How, Paul?
Solar, pilgrim, solar! Simple panels of clear recyclable plastic through which pool water passes, facing south, tilted up in the upper parking lot like sunflowers, using the pumping and filtration system already in place. This warming of the always-cold water will double our season.
Obvious benefits include our swim team, giving them more weeks to get into peak shape; wonderful exercise for gravitationally challenged elders; and drastically cut the afterschool crime wave! But mostly, this is about the healthful benefits to me. About every other day of the summer, I swim 500 to 1000 meters in the swim lanes, and I need more swim time. Very cheap to install and maintain, and with the infrastructure bill now in search of something to pay for, a grant should be a cinch.
The final pitch: This will cut greenhouse emissions by saving thousands of fellow New Paltzers from having to fly off to Aruba!
Paul Nathe
New Paltz
Fluttering Around Saugerties
The 12th annual Saugerties Chamber of Commerce street-art Art Auction was held virtually this year. Our theme was Fluttering around Saugerties: Beautiful Butterflies. We raised almost $16,000. Proceeds go to the participating artists, the Saugerties Takeout Project (supporting both Saugerties restaurants and Saugerties families), the Saugerties VFW and American Legion, the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce and a scholarship to a graduating Saugerties High School student.
We thank the 35 incredible artists who participated and the 35-plus individual and business sponsors who supported this great project.
We also thank the Village mayor, Bill Murphy, and staff, Town supervisor Fred Costello and staff, Police chief Joseph Sinagra and the Police Department, the Village Department of Public Works, Robert Langdon of Emerge Gallery for his “Fluttering Around” video walk around tour, Michael Nelson of Michael Nelson Photography for taking butterfly photos for our walk-around map, John Iannelli of Iannelli Photography for setting up and running our online auction, the local radio and TV stations who allowed us to promote the event, Marge Block for allowing us to use the beautiful Dutch Barn at the Kiersted House to store the butterflies and Vincent Mclaughlin for watching over them. It takes more than a Village; it also takes a Town.
Mark Smith
Peggy Schwartz
Saugerties Chamber of Commerce
More Comeau addition questions
From Hudson Valley One: “The supervisor’s cottage would get an energy-efficiency renovation and the leveling of uneven floors would make it more accessible.” The question is, though, will the accessibility meet ADA standards, and if so, at what cost? It will take more than just “leveling of uneven floors” to meet those standards. Aside from other requirements inside the cottage, such as the size of a restroom and the width of doorways and passageways, there are standards that have to be met outside the building. There must be accessible parking in close proximity, as well as a route to the cottage that is free of steep inclines and has a surface which is stable, smooth and slip-resistant, in addition to numerous other standards. Were these criteria taken into consideration prior to deciding not to have the supervisor’s office in the new addition? Based upon the initial plans presented by the architects of the Comeau project, I doubt it.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Fair weather for all
Congressional Democrats are working on a reconciliation bill that would extend the generous tax credit for children, provide for paid family leave, subsidize community college education, expand Medicare and Medicaid benefits and confront climate change. Commendably, they are proposing to pay for the legislation by increasing taxes on super-wealthy individuals and corporations.
The radical Republican party, predictably, is unified in opposition. Columnist Henry Olsen of the Washington Post articulates some of their primary objections (9/14/21). This one, though familiar, invites skepticism: The hikes would “likely accelerate migration from high-tax states to low-tax states.” Income tax-free states like Wyoming and Alaska “offer beautiful environments.” Texas and Florida promise “year-round warmth.”
Big-buck emigrants to Wyoming and Alaska are not likely to find many world-class museums, opera houses, theaters, stadiums or libraries to which their honored names could be attached after generous donations. They’ll scramble to locate five-star restaurants for their power lunches with other super-wealthy scions in their network, whose numbers would be far fewer.
Many localities in summertime and fall receive Floridians who flee their state to escape the oppressive humidity. Texas? Of anti-choice, anti-voting rights, pro-guns, secession? That culture might not sit well with at least some billionaires, especially when they are women.
Life is not all about taxes for many billionaires. And the claim that higher taxes remove their incentives to work? Most of these people’s lives have been furiously committed to making as much money as they can. Are they going to stop because their assets have been nicked a bit with higher taxes? That stretches credibility.
Polls show that the Democrats’ bill is solidly popular. Americans like the idea of the fortunate super-wealthy and corporations giving their share to improve the everyday lives of parents, children, workers, students and seniors…all of us.
Tom Denton
Highland
Enjoyable articles
Some things I enjoy about Hudson Valley One:
The feature “What the Newspaper Said 100 Years Ago.”
The interesting variety of topics Susan Slotnick writes about so eloquently.
The very cool Astronomy column.
The great writing style in the articles by Violet Snow. (What a lovely name.)
The quips contributed by Sparrow.
And of course, the coverage of the latest local business, entertainment and personality news.
Looking forward to more enjoyable reading next week!
Jeanette Straebler
Highland
Honor the 9/11 victims by seeking justice
Regarding 9/11, 343 brave firefighters died in the catastrophe at the World Trade Center Complex (“WTC”). According to the laws of physics: “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction,” the collapse should not have happened. That is according to Newton’s Third law of Motion. Fifteen damaged floors collapsing should have been met with 15 undamaged floors of compressive resistance to the collapse, let alone with 90 undamaged floors resisting. In actuality, 90 floors with a safety factor of five, mandated by NYC building code, were equal to 450 floors of compressive resistance to the collapsing 15 floors and surely would have stopped the collapse.
My good friend was a “Sand Hog” on the scene at Ground Zero, searching for trapped people, and he took quite a few photos of the wreckage. He passed away from breathing the toxic air at Ground Zero, like thousands of other first responders that EPA head Christine Whitman said was safe to breathe after only three days. My friend’s son gave me the big stack of photos. Photos of WTC Tower #1 & #2 lobbies clearly show that the debris pile of 110 stories does not reach past the ceiling of the lobby. All those 110 floors of concrete slabs and steel beams should have made a much taller debris pile but did not as the photos show. Instead, what we did have were huge plumes of dust the size of talcum powder, a mile high and spreading out as far as 44 miles away.
There are only two things in the world that make that kind of dust plumes and that is a volcano or a controlled demolition. There is not enough energy available in a collapse to turn all the concrete and steel into dust and send it 44 miles away. There is with nano-thermite, which was found in Ground Zero dust. Furthermore, some of the steel that was left was molten and stayed molten underwater for almost three months. Interestingly, nano-thermite, a classified military grade incendiary/explosive, can melt steel, unlike jet fuel, producing 4,000 degrees in seconds, and can do so underwater as it creates its own oxygen supply. The 911 Omission Report knew all of this but kept it from the public.
Honor the 911 victims by demanding a thorough and independent investigation of the real scoundrels and traitors who perpetrated this well-planned covert operation (ae911truth.org) and (https://www.lawyerscommitteefor9-11inquiry.org).
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Love for the unvaccinated
There are people in this world who cannot get vaccinated, simply, because of allergies, family history, members of the Church of Christian Science, etc.
The Republicans and the Democrats have been fighting as long as I can remember. That’s what they DO — they fight and they bring all of us into the ring. Meanwhile, very few people are 100% Democrat or Republican. People of the two major parties share much common ground, yet the political machine has us hating each other. It’s a smoke-and-mirrors show distracting us from the real issues we all care about like clean water and air, peace and a livable world for our children. The machine says, “Forget about climate ACTION, let’s fight about vaccines and so much more!”
Newly vaccinated people packed restaurants and bars this summer and went about their daily life without masks, just trying to get back to normal, something we all miss. The narrative now is that the unvaccinated are to blame for the worsening and continuation of the pandemic. We now have vaccine mandates and passports to help us in discriminating against the unvaccinated. Some people have put the unvaccinated into a category of extremists who don’t care to do the right thing.
Is this message creating such resentment that the vaccinated have turned their backs on the rights of the unvaccinated, even though they don’t know everyone’s different reasons for not being vaccinated? Propaganda? We all need to make independent choices about our attitudes toward others.
There are so many variables, but one could argue that because the vaccinated can carry the virus up to a month while showing no symptoms, that they are more likely to spread the virus. Concerned unvaccinated people tend to wear masks, practice physical distancing and are more careful. They also are likely to know if they’re sick. Which is better or worse? It doesn’t seem helpful to blame. The answers may only come in time.
In February of 2020, the world seemed to grow smaller. We watched in grief as Italy was devastated by the pandemic. A level playing field — no one on Earth was above the threat of COVID. Everything came to a screeching halt, including carbon emissions. Dolphins were swimming in Venice. Animals were wandering city streets, seemingly looking for us. It became evident that we actually can slow global warming, it’s not too late. The air had become cleaner that fast.
Our modern-day normal is bringing the earth to its end much more quickly than nature would. THAT is happening at warp speed. We can expect to see much more frequent and permanent droughts that will lead to more human suffering. A re-evaluation of “normal” is overdue. We all need to come together and change the conversation. We need mutual understanding to bring healing to each other and our Mother Earth. We must all be mindful and THAT is what the machine wants us NOT to do.
PW Higgens
Shokan
Medical common sense and public health malpractice
The US is in the middle of a serious health crisis — and it didn’t start in 2020.
Maternal mortality in the U.S. (death of women in child birth) has been on a steady rise since 1987, while it has declined over the same period in economically comparable countries.
The U.S. has the highest rates of medical, medication and lab errors of economically comparable countries, nearly two times the average. The U.S. has also consistently had the highest rates of mortality from respiratory diseases of economically comparable countries, starting in 1984.
Overall, the U.S. ranks 37th in the quality of its medical services and outcomes behind countries like Columbia, Morocco, Chile and Costa Rica. We’re barely ahead of Cuba, Croatia and Barbados.
Remember, these are averages. There are communities in the U.S. where quality of medical services is substantially lower.
For this train wreck of corruption, fraud and ineptitude we pay more per person — by far — for medical services than any country on Earth. For those who are curious, our costs are 42% higher than the world’s second most expensive medical system, Switzerland’s. They at least get First World medical services for their money.
We spend nearly 20% of our GDP on health care compared to Switzerland’s 11%. The U.S. does lead in one area: administration costs. We spend three times more to administer the paperwork of health care than the nearest competitor, Germany.
Meanwhile, we’re the only country in the world other than New Zealand that allows drug ads on TV, our pharmaceutical companies routinely plead guilty to criminal and civil charges including a $1.3 billion criminal fine levied against Pfizer in 2009, and by the CDC’s own count autism rates have increased in the U.S. from 1 in 156 children in 2004 to 1 in 54 in 2020.
These were all facts pre-COVID.
How many people knew? How many people cared?
Today, how many legions of newly-minted “public health advocates” circa 2020 are now demanding that children not only wear masks, but also line up for the products of Pfizer and others when it’s a well-established fact they, the children, have nearly zero risk from the media-generated hysteria du jour.
There are a lot of good people who have mindlessly jumped on this sinister bandwagon and I sincerely hope they will consider the magnitude of what they’re helping enable.
I thank Hudson Valley One for being one of the very few local news media outlets that has shown restraint in its reporting and not acted as a cheerleader for the unhinged orgy of hysteria that benefits no one but an industry that history shows us should be treated with maximum skepticism at every step.
Ken McCarthy
Tivoli
Repair Café rebound
Many of us mourned John Wackman’s untimely passing eight months ago. And surely many missed Repair Café for the last 18 months.
Well, we are back! Saturday, September 18th was the first session in New Paltz, in the same place, albeit outdoors, on a beautiful sunny warm day; and out of precaution, all wearing masks.
People brought lamps, electronics, another sewing machine, chairs, items to be fixed by sewing and of course old broken heirloom dolls and old photographs to be given new life. Being both “staff” and a “customer,” my burned pot was the only things beyond repair, even by our expert coaches!
Everybody had a good time, seeing old friends, getting work done and we loved observing two beautiful monarch butterflies, “brought up” by Holly Schader, the big force by getting us all together.
Gather your broken items for November 20th!
Misha Harnick
New Paltz
Remembering 9/11
On behalf of the New Paltz September 11 Community Memorial, I’d like to thank everyone who joined us to honor and remember.
County Clerk Nina Postupack led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Sam Newsome led our New Paltz High School Band in a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem. Reverend Jennifer Berry’s spiritual reflections were the perfect balm for our pained souls.
Sue Korycki presented an award-winning 9/11 quilt to Fire Chief Wirthmann to hang in the new firehouse. Suze Garcia presented an original “Flag of Honor” to Chief Wirthmann for the new firehouse too. New Paltz is blessed to have such wonderful and generous patriotic citizens. Thanks to both.
A memorial bell was rung at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m., followed by Taps, sounded by bugler Dani Gardiner.
Butch Dener, on behalf of a grateful New Paltz community, presented sterling silver memorial bells to our first responders, represented by New Paltz Rescue Squad Assistant Chief Rich McNamee, Police Chief Robert Lucchesi and Fire Chief Cory Wirthmann. The bells were engraved with the name of the department and September 11, 2021.
Thanks also to Rich Rose Landscaping for sprucing up our memorial with fresh mulch and landscaping.
See you all next September 11.
Butch Dener and the New Paltz Community September 11 Memorial Committee
New Paltz
Safety counts
We express our gratitude to Bill McKenna (Town Supervisor), the Ulster County DOT, the NYS DOT, Jonathan Heppner (Ulster County Legislator), Michelle Hinchey (State Senator) and our neighbors on Glasco Turnpike for making the lowering of the speed limit along a thickly populated section of the road a reality. By changing the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph, the health and safety of residents, children, pets, walkers, bicyclists, wildlife and motorists is being honored and hopefully protected. We hope that all motorists will abide by the 35 mph speed limit.
Linda and Terence Lover
Woodstock
Coping with the Big C
I would like to repeat what I said in last week’s paper concerning the article about our new cancer survivor’s support group, Topic of Cancer. The opinions of the Kingston Oncology Support Program, AA and related groups in that article were definitely not ours. They were the opinions of the reporter, Frances Marion Platt. Jane Young and I support these programs completely. I have family and close friends in both AA and support groups offered by HAHV. I personally attend the HAHV men’s cancer support group with James Askin, and, as I mentioned previously, NO mention of religion has ever occurred. I have been assured this is true of ALL the support groups offered. (I have also attended Al Anon, on two separate occasions).
We have been in close contact with Ellen Marshall, Director of the HAHV Oncology Support program and have committed our support group to work closely with hers.
We are also contemplating a Facebook group for Topic of Cancer and will keep everyone posted concerning this.
Topic of Cancer will meet, for the first time, on Wednesday, September 22 and then on October 27, November 24 and December 22, at The Woodstock reformed Church, at 7 p.m.
Call 914-466-2917 or 845-750-1253 for more information.
Eric Glass
Saugerties
Ted Orr memorial concert
Last weekend, the Woodstock community of musicians and team held a memorial concert at Colony for our late husband and father, Ted Orr.
Several musicians who played in different bands with Ted through the years played the music that they had played with him and told ‘Ted stories’ at the concert. Ted is deeply missed, but it was a celebration, and the strong love energy there was almost tangible.
Heading the team that coordinated this concert was ‘Salted Bro’ Sal Miccio. Sal, Lucy and the guys from the 25-year poker game put together a grand benefit for Ted years ago when he needed eye surgery. After that, Sal and Ted (‘Benefits are Us’) played or coordinated many benefit and memorial concerts in the community. This, Ted’s memorial concert, was an effort of many players and team.
We thank Sal and the bands and players: Flash: Flash, Hector B, Jon Coghill; Willi Amrod: Willi Amrod, Dan Sheehan, Johnny Greenbacks, Donny Stroffolino, Peter Martin, Eddie Flick , Sal Oliveri, Sam Newsome; Salted Bones: Sal Miccio, Mike Esposito, Joe Bones; Salted Bros: Sal Miccio, Jim Curtin, Jerry Mitnick, Chris Morgan, James Orr; Neal Nail Alexander; Blue Food: Tony Parker, Mark Dann, Bruce Berkey, Bill Ylitalo, James Orr, Gus Mancini, Sam Newsome, Neal Alexander and Joakim Lartey; and the support team: John Chiarlonzio, David Laks, Steve Rothenberg, Ethan Klee; and anyone we may have forgotten
We’d like to also thank the dancers (some were at Ted’s gigs for years), and community and all who contributed to the spirit of the day. And gratitude to Colony staff and great thanks to Julia Nichols and our hosts Alexia and Neil Howard.
A heartfelt (distant) hug to all.
Deborah Day, James Orr and family
Woodstock
Join the family! 
