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.
Letter guidelines:
Hudson Valley One welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be fewer than 300 words and submitted by noon on Monday. Our policy is to print as many letters to the editor as possible. As with all print publications, available space is determined by ads sold. If there is insufficient space in a given issue, letters will be approved based on established content standards. Points of View will also run at our discretion.
Although Hudson Valley One does not specifically limit the number of letters a reader can submit per month, the publication of letters written by frequent correspondents may be delayed to make room for less-often-heard voices, but they will all appear on our website at hudsonvalleyone.com. All letters should be signed and include the author’s address and telephone number.
Full TDS resurrection?
After last week’s political assassination of Trump, it’s very likely that we’ll all hear from Neil Jarmel, Tom Cherwin, William Weinstein and the rest of their anti-Trump army. They will very likely be doing their favorite dances in celebration of their wishes of finding Trump guilty of “anything.”
However, a real test of their character will be whether, in their glee, they can also call upon their morals and consciences to acknowledge that this trial, “evidence,” and judge’s heavily biased instructions to the jury were a total farce. Of course, as we all know, an appeal will be a cake walk. Even some legal experts on the infamous “news” outlets of CNN and MSNBC expressed serious doubts as to this charade being an honest, neutral and unbiased legal process. At his point in time and in a larger picture than just a total focus on Donald Trump, this poor and dangerous precedent will allow either party to pull this stunt on their opposition, in the future. Also, beyond those potential defendants, future targets of political/legal malpractice could be business owners (both small and large) down to individuals like all of the HV1 readers. And what would be the crime? Having a different viewpoint on any issues than those in power who would carry out this type of “legal” attack.
It is common knowledge that DA Alvin Bragg’s election and involvement in this case, Biden’s temporary “demotion” of an attorney from the justice department to be a lead in this state case, and the “random” assignment of Biden donor judge Juan Merchan to rule on the case were orchestrated and financially influenced by George Soros, who has also been behind the elections and appointments of DA’s in several very liberal large blue cities whose anti-conservative and anti law and order measures are directly responsible for the bastardization of judicial systems resulting in revolving doors for criminals.
And when George Soros finally meets his maker, his son, Alexander, will be as bad if not worse. Alexander is already heavily influencing, AKA giving instructions to, the liberal lame stream media to constantly refer to Trump, as often as possible in all broadcasts of “news,” not by name, but as the “convicted felon.”
John N. Butz
Modena
Celebrate this 60th year of local, live theatre
The first play of the current production of three short plays written by Thornton Wilder by Performing Arts of Woodstock is hilarious and brilliant and timeless.
Infancy is a century-old tale of two infants and their childish caretakers. Without a cellphone in sight, the performances and skits are as contemporary as believable as can be. The casting of the babies (both grown men) is priceless.
Celebrate this 60th year of local, live theatre by attending one of the remaining performances.
Irwin Rosenthal
Woodstock
A wrong move by the Jewish Federation of Ulster County
I write to protest the Jewish Federation of Ulster County calling for the resignation of New Paltz Deputy Mayor Alexandra Wojcik. As I understand it, the deputy mayor reposted a critique of the brutal police treatment of student protestors at SUNY New Paltz. This reposting resulted in the Jewish Congregation of New Paltz sending an open letter to Deputy Mayor Wojcik criticizing the use of “antisemitic” tropes. In particular, she was singled out for the post’s reference to the “geopolitical interests of Zionism,” which is strange, as Zionism is, quite simply a political movement which calls for a state in a particular geographical area. The article contains neither the “offending” post, nor the actual letter from the Jewish Congregation. Deputy Mayor Wojcik requested a meeting for discussion. Then, the Jewish Federation decided to pile on, by calling for her resignation.
It is entirely within the rights of a synagogue, or a church, or a mosque to ask for a meeting with an office holder who they believe may have written or endorsed what they perceive to be language which is offensive to their congregants. It is, however, undemocratic for an organization to demand the resignation of an office holder.
The Ulster County Jewish Federation should more rightly be named the Ulster County Israel Federation, as their sole purpose appears to be defense of Israel. The Israel Federation is so extreme in their support of Israel that they are currently embarked on blocking a ceasefire resolution in Kingston, at the same time that tens of thousands of Israelis are demonstrating in the streets of Israel demanding a ceasefire. They are organizing, using hysterical language to block a ceasefire resolution at the same time that the US is promoting a ceasefire plan for Israel, which Hamas is willing to accept.
The Israel Federation does not speak for me. I am an American Jew, not Israeli, Israel is not my country, and never was.
Marcy London
Stone Ridge
Two sides to a story
I was shocked by Terence Ward’s front page article on the vote for the new supervisor for the Town of New Paltz. I was able to hear the interviews of the candidates, and rather than “brief” as Mr. Ward described them, they lasted an hour, with opportunities for longer time offered.
I believe Amanda Gotto, the best candidate, was chosen.
Alex Baer voiced many complaints about the process that you shared on the front page. But aren’t there two sides to any story? Why didn’t you speak with the board members that she seemed upset with? Kitty Brown is the only board member you mentioned, and she did not make these decisions alone, but she is the one you threw under the bus.
Kitty has served our town capably for many years and does not deserve this.
I believe a follow-up article is required to set the record straight, and present the other side of the story, and on the front page to be sure the community will see it.
Sherrill Silver
New Paltz
Editor’s note: An update to the story referred to in this letter can be found on our website at: https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2024/05/28/amanda-gotto-is-now-supervisor-of-new-paltz/
Stop attacks on New Paltz deputy mayor
New Paltz Women in Black support deputy mayor Alexandria Wojcik and reject attacks on her for reposting statements from the SUNY student encampment about Zionism.
Zionism is a 19th-century philosophy from the Age of Colonialism, offering a Jewish homeland at the expense of the indigenous Palestinians who already had a thriving civilization in that region. Palestine was NEVER a land without people for people without a land. Early Zionists — and even today’s Zionist leaders — were quite frank about the need to remove the native population from the land in order to secure it for Jews only.
Just as Netanyahu and his government and the “extremist” Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and the Israeli army with its snipers and bulldozers, are forcing Palestinians off their land every day — killing them, burning their homes, uprooting their olive trees, scattering their flocks — in just that way Israel is trying to destroy as much Palestinian life and culture as possible in its war on Gaza. Israel has not just aimed at Hamas fighters; it has destroyed every school and university in Gaza, every hospital and clinic, every library, theater and community center. Every market. And 60 percent of the homes.
This is why many, many Jews around the world and in the United States — and in New Paltz — have stood up and said: “NO! These war crimes will not be committed in my name as a Jew! Genocide is not a Jewish value! A Palestinian life is just as valuable as a Jewish life! And this is what the SUNY students were saying, Jews and non-Jews, in their encampment last month.
So Alexandra has nothing to apologize for. Nothing in her posts, nor in the posts of student activists, was an attack on Jews. We honor her. May she sail on to preside over many, many more spectacular gay pride parades in years to come.
Naomi Allen, on behalf of New Paltz Women in Black for Peace and Justice
P.S. It’s just plain racism that fears a word because it’s in Arabic. “Intifada” simply means “uprising.”
Integrated projects for ADA compliance and pedestrians
On May 22nd, the New Paltz Village Board formally updated our request for funds from the Federal Carbon Reduction Program via the Ulster County Transportation Council to $344,980 to help us pay for the village’s $763,260 sidewalk project of 1,350 linear feet (LF).
The village has been working on this 1,350 LF by 4’ wide sidewalk project that must meet NYSDOT/Federal Highway Administration specifications for:
• Prospect Street: 380 LF between Slate Street and Henry W. DuBois (west side)
• Church Street: 500 LF north of Briarwood Court to Henry W. DuBois (east side) and between Henry W. DuBois and Mulberry (westside)
• Huguenot Street: 470 LF of bluestone south of the monument past the burial ground (east side)
Repairs to the section on Huguenot Street are long overdue. Per an easement agreement from 2008 between the village and Historic Huguenot Street (HHS), the village agreed to repair this portion of bluestone sidewalk as a consideration because HHS had granted the village a permanent sewer easement to construct a sanitary sewer interceptor from Huguenot Street to the wastewater treatment plant. The agreement required the village to complete this bluestone sidewalk work by December 31, 2008 (sic).
These 1,350 LF of sidewalk are in addition to both the 912 LF on Prospect Street (between Main and Slate), that is about to commence, as well as the Henry W. DuBois bike/ped path. It will be amazing to finally see these three projects. They are each being funded differently (combinations of grants and local government contributions) and have had their own unique obstacles and complications, but all three projects have been designed so they are integrated for for ADA compliance and improved pedestrian experiences.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
Gabi Madden is a progressive and constituent-oriented Democrat
On Sunday, a young woman in an orange and red “Sarahana” Shrestha shirt, noting that I had a Gabi Madden campaign sign on my property, approached and asked why I was supporting Shrestha’s opponent. When I made clear that she had zero chance of changing my mind, she turned and walked away. Had I the time, I would have asked her a couple of questions myself. Such as:
Where was my Assembly District 103 representative in February when the Democratic supermajorities in the state assembly and senate split our Town of Gardiner, with a mere 5,500 residents, into two different congressional districts? Gardiner is the only town in Ulster County so divided into CD 16 (represented by Gardiner resident and Democrat, Patrick Ryan) and CD 19 (represented now by Republican Marcus Molinaro)? The truthful answer would have been “nowhere to be found.” Or perhaps “out promoting the agenda of her Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), namely, doing away with the capitalist economic system in New York.
The fringe-left Shrestha is held in such low regard by her Democratic colleagues in the legislature and the governor’s office that she has little or no influence in critical matters that affect her constituents, like keeping their communities whole in the redistricting process.
Another question is, why is Shrestha completely absent from efforts in Gardiner, Plattekill, New Paltz and Shawangunk to stop the development of a 451,000 square foot mega-warehouse on a widely used, two-lane country road in Modena with no shoulder? Shrestha has paid lip service to possibly sending a staffer to multi-community meetings in opposition to that project but has not even managed to spare a receptionist from her Assembly office to support this critical constituent interest.
By contrast, Gabi Madden came to the packed Gardiner town hall meeting last Thursday and spent over an hour using her broad knowledge of how Albany works to strategize with Shrestha’s constituents on how to leverage state resources and approvals to stop this ill-advised project. Again, actually serving her constituents’ needs is low on Shrestha’s reasons for being in the Assembly. Her agenda is to challenge the Democratic majority in the legislature and the Governor at almost every turn and assail Democratic candidates (like Patrick Ryan) who do not reflexively tow the DSA line.
In the June 25th Democratic primary election for AD 103, I would argue to my fellow Gardiner Democrats that Gabi Madden is the only truly progressive and constituent-oriented Democrat running and the clear choice for Democrats for the next two years.
Tom Kruglinski
Gardiner
True colors
The forest is my florist.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Thanks for 20 years of pride in New Paltz!
What a way to mark 20 years for the Hudson Valley Pride March and Festival! I want to thank all those in our town and village governments who helped make the event on June 1st happen. I also want to thank all those in the New Paltz Pride Coalition, with whom we collaborated. A great team effort!
As a proud New Paltz native, the event was particularly meaningful. Thanks to all of our friends and neighbors who lined Main Street to cheer us on and who joined at the festival to celebrate.
Richard Heyl de Ortiz, Executive Director
Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center
How well do you know our mighty Hudson River?
Please mark your calendar now to learn about our mighty Hudson River with local environmental experts at the historical Rosendale Theatre.
Amnesty International Mid-Hudson would like to invite you to our tenth annual social justice fundraiser with Jon Bowermaster showing his documentaries PCBs: A Toxic Legacy and “Bomb Trains on the Hudson,” an expert panel, the Rosendale Brass Band and a silent auction at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main Street, Rosendale, on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.
These films by special guest environmental filmmaker Jon Bowermaster powerfully raise awareness of issues related to the Hudson River and the environment. There will be a panel of expert speakers including Clearwater David Toman, Beyond Plastics Megan Wolff, Riverkeeper and Catskill Mountainkeeper, with moderator Jon Bowermaster.
Funds raised will benefit local environmental organizations serving our communities. Tickets are at
https://www.rosendaletheatre.org/calendar/ (click on June 18). If you cannot attend and would like to give a donation, contact Diana at dianazuck@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
Felon Trump brought to justice
On May 30, 12 diligent men and woman convicted Donald Trump on all 34 felony charges presented in court by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg. Bragg’s able prosecutorial team, epitomized by assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass in his brilliant summation, made a verdict of guilty ineluctable. A diligent judge, Juan Merchan, kept order in his court, despite the propensity of the defendant, now felon, to cause chaos by trampling the norms that bind us as a society.
Under the rules of the State of Florida, Felon Trump will not be permitted to vote for himself, because felons are not eligible to vote until they complete their sentence, whether probation or incarceration.
Felon Trump will have the opportunity to undergo a pre-sentence interview. A psychologist or social worker will work to coach the convicted felon on how to best “make a good impression and explain why he or she deserves a lighter punishment,” according to the New York State Unified Court System. I am looking forward to reading the pre-sentencing report.
I am looking forward to July 11, when Judge Merchan confronts the felon in court and dresses him down in front of a rapt nation.
I am looking forward to June 27, when President Biden and Felon Trump hold their first debate. Joe will have his way with the convicted felon.
Remember to vote Blue. Vote for president Joseph Biden, vice-president Kamala Harris, congressman Pat Ryan and congressman-to-be Josh Riley.
Biden will win this November. Felon Trump will lose.
William Weinstein
New Paltz
Take one big look, take a look at yourself
In the land of Woodstock where peace, love and music reign, the citizens are in uproar, their voices full of pain. The community soundtrack echoes through the streets, but now there’s a threat, a challenge to meet. The town officials aim to quiet the sound, but the people won’t let their music be gagged ‘n’ bound. For in Woodstock, music is more than just noise, it’s a way of life, a passion that brings joys.
From the days of Hendrix to the era of Nirvana, Woodstock has been a place for those with a love of drama. Guitars wail, drums pound, voices cry out loud, the music stands tall, among a proud and glorious crowd. The community soundtrack rings far and wide, for it is the anthem of Woodstock’s guide. A place where music is more than just a tune, it’s a spirit, a love that when nourished, will always bloom.
The passion of the people cannot be contained, they will fight for their right to let their music sustain. In Woodstock, the music will never die, it’s a part of their soul that will forever fly. Raise your song, let the soundtrack play, for in Woodstock, music must have its way. The spirit of peace, love and music needs to live on, it has to be a community where our soundtrack has won.
Again, let the guitars wail, the drums pound, in Woodstock, the music will always be found. From folk to rock, from blues to jazz, the melodies we create will always surpass the boundaries that seek to divide us, for in the music, we find a unity, and a common strength that finds us. Let the Woodstock soundtrack be our battle cry, a call to arms that will never die. For in the notes we play, in the words we sing, we’ll shape a world where freedom will ring.
Of music, of passion, of love and light, for in the song, we find our might. So, let our commitment ring, while our voices together sing. Let pro-activism echo far and wide, a testament to the power of music, to the strength inside. We’ll raise our voices, we’ll raise our fists, and we’ll resist town administrative forces that try to insist. It’s a reminder of the spirit that will never be gone, for Woodstock NY will always be … a place of music, creativity yes, plus a town’s soundtrack — wild and free!
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
We are against government takeover of Central Hudson
Let’s tell our Albany Assembly and Senate candidates that we are against the proposed government takeover of Central Hudson. Why? Because NY state government has destroyed the energy freedom of our state by passing laws to outlaw gasoline cars, gas stoves and natural gas heating. Since NY state has a liberal net zero carbon goal, a government run electric company will continue to eliminate reliable, low-cost natural gas electricity and force us to use only wind and solar power. As a result, we will have higher electricity prices and many more brown-outs during hot summer days and frigid winter days. By all means, do not give our state and local governments any more dictatorial power over our energy freedom and energy choices.
Ralph Mitchell
Kingston
Where is the outcry
I regularly drive by a house that, from a distance, seems to be displaying an American flag on its porch. Close up, we see the letters F*** Biden conjoined with the stars and stripes. (Recently a car smashed into the other side of the house, causing extensive damage. Geez, maybe the homeowners might consider that their flag creates a distraction for drivers.)
It’s America. One’s home and its surroundings can make many kinds of statements with their decorative choices. In recent weeks we learned that the residences of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito displayed their own statements on important matters of state, namely, the 2020 election that ex-President Trump falsely claims he won and the country’s foundational separation of church and state. Photos — not challenged by the Alitos — show that their primary and summer homes flew flags also carried by stop-the-steal insurrectionists of January 6 and by Christian nationalists convinced the country is being destroyed by culturally liberal secularists.
A private citizen is free to make public pronouncements even if they’re asinine or crude. Or biased. I confess my own bias: I think Justice Alito is a threat to American constitutional democracy. His exceptional position requires him to rule according to law, not his personal views. His publicly expressed bias profoundly undermines the credibility and legitimacy of the Supreme Court, especially as it is about to rule on cases tied to January 6 and Americans’ individual freedoms. Judicial ethics demand that he recuse himself from deliberations.
Where is the outcry over his egregious and flagrant violations? Why aren’t Democrats in Congress, and Republicans with integrity, pounding their desks, demanding accountability from Chief Justice Roberts? Do we citizens have to create our own trashy porch flags to demand attention? Our House is being bulldozed by seditionists in the judicial and legislative branches of government.
Tom Denton
New Paltz
I remain an advocate for my home town
It’s disappointing that Rick Knutsen, in his May 29 response to my letter of May 22, didn’t seem to or want to comprehend some of the points I raised. First and foremost, I never suggested “that the Onteora BOE should direct its resources” to “compensate the Town of Woodstock” in any manner, nor would I. What I wrote, simply, was that with all of the things being taken away from or changed in our town, losing our school would be another detriment to our identity and cohesiveness. I am also quite aware that our older children are already bused to Bennett. Clearly, my letter was focused on the younger children, which I presented as my area of expertise. “No contemplated increase in class sizes” is no guarantee, nor are the projected decreases in enrollment or the projected costs of the restructuring.
As for the abandoned building, Mr. Knutsen offers that the “deed restricts its use to either educational purposes or residential housing.” I am not aware whether those conditions can change, but my point was that recent developmental and redevelopmental plans in our town have been predominantly for the benefit of our wealthier population and transients. So if it were to be repurposed for “residential housing,” is there anything in that deed that would speak to the need for long-term, affordable housing? I’m not saying I want that, I want it to remain Woodstock Elementary and create affordable housing elsewhere, but if this is a fait accompli, leaving our town with an abandoned building or another unaffordable dwelling space, would just be a further insult. I also didn’t say that Woodstock parents wouldn’t be involved if their children were bused, of course they would. But involvement is certainly easier and more community-based if the school is actually a part of the community.
I appreciate that Bennett has a “great jazz band.” I admit to not knowing much more about it than the things I’ve heard from parents and seen of it from the outside. I’ve been inside Woodstock Elementary and continue to be convinced that it would be a sin to close it. I have never said that school board members don’t have an obligation to consider what’s best for the entire district. I believe that keeping Woodstock Elementary open is just that, but, regardless, I remain an advocate for my home town.
Alan M. Weber
Woodstock
Gaslighting bubble burst
Regarding the letter, “One last time in the fray,” Rowan Dordick leaves out a significant quote from his previous letter where he claimed: “there were no Palestinians living in ancient Israel 3,600 years ago.” This is standard Zionist propaganda, that Palestinians allegedly have no historical connection with ancient Palestine/Israel. I presented two studies to rebut this fallacy. Even though one study evidently was not peer-reviewed, the second study was (https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(20)30487-6.pdf) and was cited in 66 other peer-reviewed studies (scholar google.com), documenting that Palestinians are indeed descendants of the ancient Canaanites who lived in ancient Palestine/Israel.
Rowan alleges that I don’t understand what that study is declaring, meanwhile The Biblical Archeology Society also asserts: After examining the DNA of 93 bodies recovered from archaeological sites around the southern Levant, the land of Canaan in the Bible, researchers have concluded that modern populations of the region are descendants of the ancient Canaanites.
The southern Levant region includes Palestine and the modern day populations of the region, would include present day Palestinians, who are indeed descendants of the ancient Canaanites (https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-easternworld/jews-and-arabs-descended-fromcanaanites/). Rowan also erroneously asserts there is no genocide happening in Gaza, while all the humanitarian groups in the world assert genocide is clearly taking place there (https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147976). Recently, Human-Rights-Watch co-founder, Aryeh Neier, himself a Jewish Holocaust survivor, joined 300 other Holocaust survivors, and are asserting what is taking place in Gaza is real genocide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YXVqt_SmFk). Additionally, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) have declared they have not ever seen such slaughter and brutalization of civilians, even though DWB has been on the scene at other genocidal conflicts in the past. DWB stated: “We are shocked by the continuous attacks on civilians, and we have no word to describe the horror of what we’ve seen here in Gaza” (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/rafah-airstrike-complete-disregard-livescivilians-gaza).
Add to this “fray” John Butz, who continually assails us with his wild unsupported propaganda, the latest being that the Genocide Convention (GC), among others, “have simply decided to expand and/or recreate the definition of genocide to fit their findings.” The fact is the GC’s definition was agreed upon in 1948, in aftermath of the holocaust, by 153 signatories to date, which includes Israel. Contrary to propagandist Butz, that definition is what is being cited by the ICC complainants, against none other than rogue GC member, Israel (https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/genocide.shtml).
No amount of propaganda or gaslighting can change the glaring fact Israel is committing clear genocide. Innocent men, women and children are being mercilessly slaughtered, brutalized and starved to death that have nothing to do with Hamas, nor are they shields. Shame on anyone who supports that.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
New Paltz Garden Club success
The New Paltz Garden Club’s plant sale of May 18 was a huge success in large part due to our dedicated, hard working members who dug up their own plants and worked to make the day profitable for a New Paltz High School graduating senior, winner of a scholarship.
We must publicly thank the following generous vendors who contributed plants and or money for our sales: Wallkill View Farm Market, Taylor’s Greenhouse, Mike’s Hot House, Tops Supermarket, Chavez Landscaping, Mohonk Mountain House, Frank L. Sorbello’s Farm, Kip Ruger of Smitty’s Auto Repair and Roger Roloff.
Thank you very much.
Margaret McDowell, President
New Paltz Garden Club
Question?
Why is it that a business is supposed to adhere to the law; however, if it is a successful business, it doesn’t?
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Background to the rise of Social Security and Medicare, #4
Regarding the innovation of programs to address the welfare of the common man, keep in mind that Medicare and Medicaid were not part of the Social Security Act of FDRs administration. These two programs were the result of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs of the 1960s. These two programs were supplements to the Social Security Act of 1935.
Both of these acts, Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid, were set into place to ensure the welfare of the common man, the disadvantaged, the elderly, programs that the previous GOD POTUS did not address. It is therefore important to realize that there were two different presidents in time: 1930s, FDR’s New Deal and the 1969 Lyndon Johnson’s, Great Society. A number of persons that I talked with regarding these programs were under the impression that both programs were FDR’s New Deal. This is a minor point but it impressed me that here was first-hand evidence of persons not knowledgeable of something so important to their welfare. And they might vote accordingly with this neglect in mind!
Getting back to the Medicaid program of the Great Society, my unmarried sister was in the nursing home for 21 years. It was her Social Security, small pension and Medicaid that allowed here to live a decent life in her later years. This would not have occurred if she did not have Medicaid and Social Security to address the costs of her maintenance. (Right now, there is a shortfall of funds for Medicaid in NYS. Everyone is blaming Governor Hochul for this, but in all actuality, the funds from the federal government have been cut.) Both of these federal funding programs were due to the Democratic administrations of FDR and Lyndon Johnson; it was not Republican.
Information from the IRS, the current tax rate for social security is 6.2 % and the same amount for the employees, for a total of 12.4%. (At least that was what it was a year or two ago.) The current rate for Medicare is 1.45% for the employer and 1.45% for the employee, 2.9% total. This is the FICA that addresses every person’s paycheck. This is the money set aside each week for retirement or as a fallback safety net, in case of a future calamity.
There is a difference, however, between the two programs, Medicare and Medicaid. (A) Medicare is federally funded for seniors 65 years and older (I drew benefits at age 62.) This has co-pays, deductibles. (B) Medicaid is state funded for low income, generally free; will cover some benefits that Medicare does not, nursing home care, personal care (home health aides, I believe).
But A and B can and will overlap, although not sure of the details. My sister benefited greatly from her Social Security and Medicaid. For 20 years her treatment and 24-hour hours around the clock surveillance made the difference to her living comfortably or in despair, not to mention the hardships which could have been imposed upon her family. More to come.
Robert LaPolt
New Paltz
I blame the Koolaid
I’m writing to comment on the remarks of congressman Pat Ryan at the Saugerties Democratic Committee meeting on May 28. While I felt that Mr. Ryan was sincere in his responses to questions, my takeaway is that he has drunk the party line Koolaid about “enemies” of the US and many other issues.
To start with “enemies,” I see Iran as an “enemy” manufactured by the departments of state and defense to allow US foreign policy to pursue domination of oil resources in the Middle East; Mr. Ryan sees that nation as a real enemy with the destruction of America as its fondest desire. Iran just wants the region to pursue its own self-determined interests, as all nations do, and stands in conflict with Saudi Arabia (a US ally, not to our credit) for power status. But if the US intends to extend its control to the oil-rich countries of the region, the triangulation of Iran — Saudi Arabia — Israel will have to proceed. In other words, we are creating the situation which we then declare to be an existential threat to Israel, our proxy state in the area.
Furthermore, while he did mention that he was disturbed at the slaughter in Gaza and, ever so briefly, that US military aid to Israel needed some strings attached to it, he made it clear that he would continue to vote for the billions the Biden administration is using to support Israel’s military operations whether or not restrictions on its use were in place. He kept talking about “finding a balance” and “hard choices.” But the holocaust in Gaza has obviated such niceties. In any case, does he really imagine Israel would not come to the table if all US military aid were dependent on the cessation of the assault on Gaza (and the end to settler colonialism, with all its brutality, in the West Bank)? What choice would they have?
Finally, Mr. Ryan emphasized that if only Benjamin Netanyahu were voted out of office, Israel policy would change. But as that policy is nothing more than an extension of Israeli policy towards Palestinians since 1947, I think this notion is delusional. Again, I blame the Koolaid. Mr. Ryan himself seems like a well-meaning guy who just can’t, or doesn’t, look at more than one perspective and think for himself. Is the Hudson Valley so devoid of talent that he is the best we can do? I wish it were not so.
Janet Moss (Asiain)
Saugerties
Thanks for the primer
Thanks, HV1 and Rokosz Most, for your article about Shrestha and Madden. I’ll be voting in a few weeks, and am glad to learn about the differences between the two candidates.
Mamie Spiegel
Bearsville
Trump conviction
Though I felt a surge of optimism that his various bases would have second thoughts about him following the conviction of Donald Trump (I initially wrote “Donald Trump’s conviction,” but I avoid oxymorons), I’m over it.
For how can I believe that Trump’s acolytes will respect and be swayed by the verdict of 12 of their peers, 12 fellow citizens deemed impartial by Trump’s lawyers, when those acolytes respect neither the rule of law that proved their leader guilty (see: “rigged system”/“witch-hunt”), nor the Constitution (see: January 6, 2001), nor Jesus (see: Evangelicals), nor Planet Earth (see: Big Oil-Trump collusion), nor Abraham Lincoln (see: “government of the people, by the people, for the people”), nor marriage vows (see: Stormy Daniels/Karen McDougal), nor economic opportunity (see: Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act/pledge of more of the same in 2025), nor our Melting Pot (see: “Build the Wall”/Trump’s promise of mass deportations and internment camps in 2025), nor women’s rights (see: Dobbs v. Jackson/repercussions).
Or, simply — see: Project 2025.
When will these followers realize just who it is they’re following? When will they take a good, hard look at Trump and the people he attracts or emulates — right-wing sycophants and Evangelical hypocrites and polluters and hate groups and dictators — and ask themselves if that’s the company they want to keep? When will they take a good, hard look at themselves, and ask if that’s who they want to be, hear the still, small voice within them (within each of us, I believe) that says, “All (wo)men are created equal” (see: Declaration of Independence).
When will they ask themselves the question special counsel Joseph Welch asked senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954 at the Army-McCarthy hearings, where a young red-baiting lawyer named Roy Cohn rose to prominence (see: Cohn-Trump relationship): “At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
Tom Cherwin
Saugerties
Rule of law or rule of guns
It didn’t take long for Republican congressman Marc Molinaro to kiss felon Trump’s ring and disparage the jury system we in New York State depend on to uphold our laws. A jury of Trump’s peers found him guilty on 34 felony counts after Trump mounted a vigorous defense in court. He was convicted of trying to help his 2020 election campaign by hiding his sexual activities from voters while claiming his hush-money payments were legal expenses.
Do the Ulster County and Town of Hurley Republican committees support Trump’s lies about the trial process, or do they stand for the rule of law? If we lose the rule of law, all we have left is the rule of guns.
Citizens need to know if our Republican neighbors will support an evidence-based justice system for all, or if they will destroy it in service to their guilty presumptive presidential candidate.
Tobe & Meg Carey
Glenford
Vote for Gabi Madden — you won’t be sorry
I have been a resident of Ulster County and a small business owner in Uptown Kingston for over 46 years. As a business owner, I kept up with the local and state politics by reading and inquiring about what our elected representatives promised AND, then, when elected, what they delivered. I no longer reside in the 103rd assembly district, but my business and most of my family are still there.
I have watched our junior assembly representative Sarahana Shrestha’s activities as our representative over the past year and a half. I am sorry to say I am sorely disappointed. As she had promised, she concentrated on policy in Albany rather than community outreach. She has consistently voted putting empty rhetoric ahead of real community.
Sarahana Sherstha voted:
• Against the Education, Labor and Family Assistance Bill (A3006)
• Against the Build Public Renewable Act
• Against the All-Electric Building Act
• Against expanding minimum wages
• Against requiring SUNY to expand part-time TAP to students attending public agricultural and technical colleges
• Against rent subsidies
• Against increasing funding for public defenders
• Against expanding childcare tax credit
These are just a few of the “no” votes by Sarahana Shrestha.
Please check out the experience and knowledge that Gabi Madden has that will put a “yes” vote in the right boxes for our community. Vote for Gabi Madden — you won’t be sorry.
Rita Vanacore
Napanoch
Welcome to insect season
Boy, be bothered by bees
and bugs, by butterflies
landing inconveniently
on your sleeve.
Be bothered by bugs, ants,
spiders, and moths
that love the taste of
your sweater.
Bugs abound in grass
and flowers, so here’s
advice: pull out all green
and complimentary colors.
Bugs, you have had it
bad. Centipedes, wasps
Queen bees, even regal
Lady Bugs—please go hide.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
The jury
OJ Simpson was one of the coolest dudes to ever walk this earth. #32 could run through defenses for the Buffalo Bills, star in action movies, chat with Johnny Carson and sell Hertz Rental cars on TV. So cool that when he allegedly cut his wife’s throat, and slit the throat of a young guy who’d happened on the crime, he stood trial and got off. The jury wanted to find him innocent, and they did, 12 to nothing.
The judge did not confuse the jury. A cool lawyer just told them: “The gloves didn’t fit!”
In New York City, with charges that I defy any reader to explain, 12 honest, confused “peers” voted unanimously “guilty’ on 34 separate charges, after the honorable judge spent 90 minutes telling them they could vote guilty on any of three charges. If this was on TV, I’d tell the judge: “You’re fired!”
Yes, he did do Stormy, as many of us also did. In America, this will not hold up.
I am so glad I quit the Democrats. I think both parties stink.
Paul Raymond
New Paltz
Is Woodstock drinking water safe?
As previously reported by HV1 on May 15, 2024, local businessman Joseph Karolys and his wife, Rachel, were ordered by the State Supreme Court of Ulster County to pay NY State $8 million to clean up three Ulster County dump sites where they illegally accepted and disposed of contaminated solid waste. The DEC had initially turned up 39 violations of clean water and solid waste disposal laws at Karoly’s sites and subsequent test results indicated the presence of heavy metals like mercury, lead and zinc, coal ash, coal and slag and nine chemicals deemed to be probable carcinogens, including the banned-for-decades pesticide DDT.
Four years before the May 15, 2024 judgment an estimated 200 truckloads of the same contaminated solid waste was disposed off, transported and dumped by this same businessman at Shady, Woodstock on a property directly above the aquifer that supplies all the town of Woodstock’s municipal drinking water and all Woodstock’s private well water. This contaminated waste remains at the Shady property to this day and unlike the three Ulster County dump sites that Joseph Karolys and his wife have been ordered to clean up or risk paying $8 million, there is no court order or plan in place to remove the contaminated waste dumped at the Shady, Woodstock property.
Back on February 2, 2022, the Town of Woodstock filed a lawsuit against Joseph Karolys. During court proceedings, Joseph Karolys pleaded guilty to illegal dumping at the Shady address. One of the owners of the same Shady property pleaded guilty to accepting that illegal contaminated solid waste at the same court proceedings. This guilty plea by the property owner gave the Town of Woodstock the legal right to demand a total clean up, removing all the 200 truckloads of contaminated waste previously delivered by Karolys from the Shady property to a special site that dealt with contaminated waste. Instead of doing this, the Town of Woodstock chose to set in motion what was believed to be ‘a more practical plan for the cleanup of the contaminated solid waste above Woodstock’s drinking water aquifer. The plan was called Plan E and did not include removing the contaminated waste from the Shady property, but instead simply included moving the contaminated waste from one side of the Shady property to the other side of that property, remaining above the aquifer. Approximately six months later, Plan E was deemed illegal by supreme court judgment.
Last November 2023, approximately three-and-a-half years after Karolys began dumping at the Shady property, Woodstock’s drinking water for the very first time tested very high for levels of PFAS chemicals otherwise known as forever chemicals. PFAS chemicals do not break down and have been proven to cause hundreds of different types of diseases including many different types of cancers. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, no amount of PFAS is safe in our drinking water.
Chris Finlay
Woodstock
Join the family! 
