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The dirty half dozen
With their reckless — and heartless — ruling on bump stocks last week, George Bush and Donald Trump’s six handpicked, misogynistic, white-Christian-centric, corporation-coddling, graft-greedy Supreme Court members continue to lower the bar, and to send many of us racing for a drink at the nearest one.
Tom Cherwin
Saugerties
Vote For Ulster County native Gabi Madden for NYS Assembly
I met Gabi Madden at the Walkway over the Hudson Pride event — she asked me what I thought the most important issue in Ulster County was. I told her, for me, it is the need for more affordable housing units and the lack of essential services for women in crisis.
I have been an advocate for the unhoused and underserved for many years through my daughter’s organization, Bethany’s Happy Bags. But now, I find myself having to be my own advocate while I try to navigate through a fractured crisis services and housing system. Sadly, Gabi also has known many women in Ulster County who have struggled to find services that will help them in their greatest moments of need.
Speaking with her during the event and hearing her plans to fill the critical void in this area gave me hope for the women and girls of Ulster County.
As a life-long member of our community, she has a vested interest in making our area a better, safer place to live.
Her plans in Albany are extensive, but there are a few that speak to my heart. She wants to continue to support women’s reproductive freedoms and strengthen our mental health infrastructure. She plans to fund a centralized hub in Ulster County (where there currently is no centralized hub) for women’s crisis services. Affordable housing in Ulster county is lacking and she plans on increasing funding and resources to help us be able to afford to live here.
Gabi wants to help her neighbors right here in Ulster and Dutchess counties thrive — not just survive. This is why it’s important to have someone representing us who understands and prioritizes local issues. When voting in the Democratic primary, please vote for Ulster County native, Gabi Madden.
Colleen Ruska
Gardiner
Water, water everywhere
Many of you may know that the highway garage and the town hall, both construction projects where McKenna was the town liaison, had roofs that leaked, resulting in significant damage. That is probably the reason that the architects for the Comeau addition chose a shed roof instead, to reduce the possibility of leakage.
Nevertheless, there was a water leak, although not from the addition’s roof but from a hot water tank. It appears that McKenna might have a dark cloud following him.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Lawless II
Clarifying my letter in last week’s issue of Hudson valley One, “Age of Lawlessness,” let me expound.
The Biden administration has aided and abetted the worst war crime, genocide in Gaza. Even if one does not believe what is happening is genocide in spite of all human rights groups and genocide experts, this still is a clear violation of U.S. law in the War Powers Resolution. That “federal law was intended to check the U.S. president’s power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress” (wikipedia.com). Clearly Biden is violating that law as he has continually sidestepped Congress by sending powerful bombs and weapons to Israel in their apparent war on the Palestinian people (https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/29/politics/biden-congress-israel-military-aid/index.html).
When a country violates its own laws on a mass scale, know we are living in an age of lawlessness.
When a sitting president (JFK), who was going to stop the Vietnam War, is assassinated in broad daylight, and his brother RFK, who was going to reopen the previously deficient JFK assassination investigation, was also assassinated in broad daylight, and eloquent Martin Luther King Jr., who was speaking strongly against the US war criminality, is also assassinated in broad daylight, know we have been living in an age of lawlessness.
When past president George Bush and vice president Dick Cheney refused to testify to the 911 Commission about all the many apparent governmental and military anomalies around the 911 event, unless they didn’t have to swear to telling the truth, that nothing they said could be recorded or written down and that they both had to be in the same room so they could hear what the other said, (https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/28/us/bush-cheney-9-11-interview-won-t-be-formally-recorded.html), know we have been living in an age of lawlessness.
When brave and courageous journalists like Julian Assange, is rotting in maximum security prison for exposing well-documented war crimes while the real war criminals are prospering and roaming free, know that we have been living in an age of lawlessness.
So when the U.S., invites to address Congress, Netanyahu of Israel, who has warrants for his arrest from the International Criminal Court, to speak freely to Congressional lawmakers, who
many have gotten rich from insider trading (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/22/insider-trading-and-congress-how-lawmakers-get-rich-from-stock-market.htm), know that this alleged law and order society we live in, is a massive deception in a lawless era.
Lawlessness magnified then is sponsoring genocide abroad against the
people’s will, and taking actions against those would oppose them. Shame of all shame.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Enhancing connectivity in New Paltz
A new connection for the Empire State Trail is now open in New Paltz.
In the summer of 2020, the Village of New Paltz embarked on a series of collaborative projects to reinforce connectivity and augment the town’s pedestrian and bike lane project along Henry W. Dubois Drive (HWD) that will run east/west from North Chestnut to North Putt Corners. The projects were meant to coincide and enhance NYS’s 750-mile Empire State Trail.
Overlapping components included: 1) construction of new sections of sidewalk on Prospect and Church Streets to connect to HWD, 2) Stewart’s relocation where its new parcel includes an easement for the new beautifully wide sidewalk where its property abuts HWD and 3) a rail trail connection to HWD across North Chestnut. These initiatives improve our network of pathways, enhancing safety and accessibility while fostering a sense of community connection.
To support this larger plan, the village entered into a cooperative agreement with the Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) in February 2021, securing up to $135,000 in funding to connect HWD to the rail trail. Over the subsequent years, as the scope of the rail trail connection component evolved and the need for additional resources became apparent, the agreement was extended twice, with the funding allocation eventually increasing to $350,000 in November 2023. Financial support, provided by NYS, underscored the importance of the project in advancing our regional trail networks and promoting sustainable transportation options.
Completion of the 150-foot public trail segment from HWD to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, now provides a safer and direct connection from the HWD and North Chestnut intersection. Collaboration between the village, the property owner at 85 North Chestnut and Stewart’s exemplified the community’s commitment to innovative solutions and public-private partnerships to address infrastructure needs.Throughout the project, the village assumed responsibility for all aspects, including managing trail design with third-party contractors, planners and engineers, as well as real estate agreement negotiations and obtaining necessary permits and approvals from NYSDOT.Our staff’s hands-on approach highlighted the village’s dedication to ensuring the success of the project and maximizing its benefits. We are grateful for the support from NYS and HRVG. Now, many more people will enjoy the natural beauty that defines the Empire State Trail experience in New Paltz.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
With a high degree of dangerous asininity
“We the people” is a powerful phrase that lays the foundation of democracy and the rule of law in the United States. It signifies that the government is created by and for the people, and that the ultimate power lies with the citizens. “We the people” have spoken.
The people on that jury speak for themselves. ‘We’ the educated, intelligent, inclusive, ‘we’ who support our mothers, daughters and wives — all women, ‘we’ who support minorities, immigrants and LGBTQIA+ and ‘we’ the true patriots will defeat MAGAt terrorists at all costs … We have defended the constitution for the last 237 years and have no plan on stopping now.
The jury was made up of his peers, chosen by Trump’s lawyer team — anyone who believes that the trial was a rigged system are true knuckleheads.
As Trump’s guilty verdict sinks in, why are Republicans still supporting a convicted felon? Donald Trump is now a convicted felon. A felon with 34 guilty convictions.
Trump’s first act on becoming a convicted criminal was to launch a raging new attack on the rule of law, using retribution as a theme and laying bare the gravity of the choice awaiting America’s voters.
Trump, a gutless wonder, has only one playbook. And yet Butz, and his political party doesn’t give a shit, why is that? We’ve seen the calamity that Trump created after he lost in 2020. We saw Republicans denounce their leader for the violence and mayhem of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, he owns that narrative … these idiot Republicans came crawling back to him. Republicans are now working against the justice system out in the open.
The cowed GOP have allowed themselves to be bullied and would rather see the country torn apart, rather than rid themselves of Trump. It didn’t alter John Butz’s nonsensical reactionary talking points and scary thinking in his letter to the editor of June 5th. Butz, who is your Trump whisperer?
It appears that Butz would rather have the country ruled by a fascist authoritarian and a sociopath who is also a moral degenerate. Trump uses quotable words of Hitler and says he’ll be a dictator on day one if reelected. Hey Butz, are you, and your Republican Party, that afraid of Democracy?
People like Butz and reactionary MAGAt’s denigrate and dismiss the “RULE OF LAW” as being totally bogus. They view political situations and see politics as transactional [what’s in it for me?] … That is NOT good … it is not what’s best for the nation and its citizens …
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
No need for changes now
No need for new zoning for live music. The 11 p.m. curfew on amplified outdoor music is what is on the books now (of course, I’ve been wrong before) in Woodstock. There is broad community support for not restricting the playing of live music. Live music has contributed to the economic prosperity, social equity and cultural vitality of Woodstock for decades. No need for changes now.
A residence is a place used as a home or dwelling where people reside. A place where one actually lives. A residence is one that you occupy for the majority of the year and use as your permanent address on documents like your driver’s license and tax returns. A residence does not include spaces or units used primarily for commercial income.
Airbnb’s are a non-conforming use in residential neighborhoods. They are more akin to a hotel.
A hotel is an establishment providing accommodations, meals and other services for travelers or tourists. Hotels are not allowed in residential neighborhoods.
Airbnb’s are commercial establishments and ought to be restricted to commercial neighborhoods. Period. Full stop.
Jonathan Grant
West Hurley
Sowing and reaping
Truth be told, Steve (I don’t believe Israel has a right to exist but will pretend I do) Romine could just as well have been describing Joe Biden in his attack against Trump in his last letter. However, I agree with his assessment on Trump’s conviction: It’s a case and verdict only Weinstein, Jarmel and the average TDS sufferer could think was good for America. The following is dedicated to all the TDS writers who will not be happy if Trump becomes POTUS again. I can’t wait to read Steve (how can anyone disagree with my experts) Romine’s response.
(To the tune of “Desolation row)
They’re selling postcards of a verdict
that hasn’t changed a single mind
All the Trump haters are feeling happy
and their words are far from kind
They say that though Trump’s been convicted;
he’ll still be selling his election lies
And they’re telling Trump’s supporters
It’s time to heal our broken ties
But the ties that now they want to heal
came from hateful words they did sow
And the harvest of strife these words have reaped
won’t help our Country’s strength and legacy to grow
(Stanza)
Neil Jarmel has seen the latest data
and he knows the poll news is…quite bad
The “felon’s” poll numbers are…bigly better
and his increased donations make Neil mad
So, he’s telling all feedback readers:
“Vote for Biden or we’ll all be burned”
But he never mentioned one single time
that Trump’s “conviction” may be overturned
But despite the polls, Neil’s Trump attacks
drone on like a bad one trick…pony show
And Biden’s hopes of victory are fading fast
and Trump’s legacy continues to grow
(Stanza)
Yes I read your letter yesterday
about how you hope old Trump will fail
You said he’ll never be your president
and should wind up at Riker’s without bail
You said you want old Joe to triumph
despite a record the polls say is bad
If that’s the way you…really feel
I think that’s crazy and…oh so sad
Right now, if you want what’s good;
don’t write no more letters…no
‘Cos you are blinded by virulent TDS
and you’ll reap the virulence your TDS will sow
George Civile
Gardiner
Reconsider the bluestone sidewalks
From records at the library’s Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection (HHHC), it seems that bluestone “flag” sidewalks on several streets in New Paltz were installed by individual property owners between April 28 and June 30 of 1899, making any that still exist exactly 125 years old. Amazingly, a long stretch of original bluestone on Prospect Street is still in good enough condition to be not just ADA-compliant but also a favorite of parents with baby strollers who regularly choose to stroll on the bluestone side of the street even though there is a new concrete sidewalk just on the other side. Unfortunately, because of the deteriorated condition of the sidewalks further north on Prospect, both bluestone and concrete, the village board recently accepted a bid to replace the entire length of that side with asphaltic concrete (an asphalt product), which would include demolishing even the bluestone that is still beautifully intact after all this time. Demolition is slated to begin next week.
We believe strongly that our historic sidewalks are an asset to the community and that it’s wrong for the village to destroy what may be the longest stretch of original bluestone sidewalk in New Paltz outside of Huguenot Street. A village-wide survey being undertaken by the Design Review Board & Historic Preservation Commission (DRB-HPC) to inventory all of New Paltz’s remaining bluestone sidewalks is still ongoing; the DRB-HPC on April 28 urged “a slow approach to deciding what to do about Prospect Street, and for that matter, any others with remaining bluestone sidewalks” while the survey is being completed, but this recommendation has been ignored, as was a letter protesting the plan signed (so far) by 40 New Paltz residents, as have been public comments made at the village board meetings on 4/24 and 6/12 (available at www.village new paltz.org).
Anyone wondering why objections weren’t voiced before the April 24 vote to accept should know it’s because there was no public outreach or direct notification to the community about the plan and the material to be used before the bid was accepted. The topic was added to the village board agenda the day before the vote, with no mention of the material to be used. A vague social media post included a photograph of cracked pavers from a different street and made no mention of asphalt. It turns out the material is the same as the state-installed pathways on the SUNY campus, those smooth blacktop walkways that look good from a distance but in fact are already cracking. Trustees certainly have a fiduciary responsibility to their constituents, but “responsibility” shouldn’t entail accepting any bid on a project if the project is flawed, as this one surely is. Don’t the trustees have a responsibility to preserve history and character for the benefit of all, where feasible? What about their responsibility to the environment? The negative environmental impact of removing stable, 360 million-year-old stones in order to replace them with any asphalt product would seem considerable.
We implore our mayor to call a halt so that the plan’s scope can be modified to preserve a stretch of New Paltz’s history for future generations.
Linda Welles
on behalf of Friends of New Paltz Bluestone
Just wondering …
Every day I find in my letter box a big, colorful flyer from both Sarahana Shrestha and Gabi Madden. Why? What’s the fight between them about? Where’s the money behind this expensive effort to win our vote? What’s it really about? I’m just wondering…
Mamie Spiegel
Bearsville
Women are leading the way to a better future
Women are leading the way to a better future, but where are the allies?
“All politics are local” is what they say when they want to get people engaged on a local level. That sentiment is often followed by another slogan of “Hope + Change.” And of course, let us not forget that “the system is broken.” So which is it? Maybe we need to get comfortable with the idea that all of those statements can be true at the same time. Rather than pick apart problems, let’s focus on solutions. If we want the broken system to change, then we need hope and we need to start rebuilding locally.
The past five years in Ulster County have seen major change in our representation. Since Antonio Delgado won his former congressional seat against conservative John Faso, Ulster County has experienced a sea change in new ideas and civic engagement led by women. Jen Metzger now serves as county executive after also representing the Hudson Valley in the state senate. Michelle Hinchey upholds our rural and agricultural interests in the state senate, while Sarahana Shrestha is leading the fight against climate change and Central Hudson in the state assembly. Ulster County elected officials are also more racially diverse than ever. Assemblymember Shrestha, county legislator L. Grace Harmon and New Paltz board member Esi Lewis prove that Ulster County embodies the multiracial democracy we should strive for nationally.
These elected women have overcome obstacles that serve as a hindrance for other women who should be running for office. According to this 2023 Pew Research Study, more than half of Americans point to women having to do more to prove themselves as a major obstacle for those seeking high political office. Pew also cites the following reasons why there are fewer women than men in high political offices, such as: Gender discrimination (47%), women getting less support from party leaders (47%), many Americans not being ready to elect a woman to higher office (46%), family responsibilities (44%).
Constituents often tell me “I don’t know how you do it” or “Where do you find the time” when we discuss local government. Many express concern about difficult personalities who fuel divisiveness and undermine women representatives at all levels of government. From negative columns featuring made up rumors and blatant mistruths that never seem to get corrected, to the mispronunciation of names, to outright sexism and racism that some public servants have been victim to, women face steep hurdles in serving their community.
These women, who are elected officials, are human beings. None of them claim to be perfect. They are mothers, daughters, significant others, neighbors, friends and colleagues. In addition, they are all survivors of discrimination and harassment. And they have earned your allyship. If you consider yourself to be politically engaged or community oriented but not capable of running for office, this opportunity is for you! You can support them and help to strengthen our community. The next time you see a modified lawn sign, or a slanderous comment online, correct it. Replace feelings with facts. Volunteer behind the scenes. Canvas. Write letters to the editors. Send an email to your personal network and share your thoughts about candidates and elected officials.
Because if we truly hope for change, then we need to participate alongside these women. If we don’t show up, the system will continue to be broken. We can affect change. Being an ally in this process is one of the most important things we can do. In return, our communities will benefit and our futures will become better and brighter.
Megan Sperry, Vice Chair
Ulster County Legislature
All hail to the memory of Stanley Bryer
It’s sad to learn that leading environmental attorney in Woodstock, Stanley Bryer, has passed away after a long and successful life. Bryer played an important part in Woodstock’s writing of the zoning law in 1988-1989.
Bryer was part of a group of volunteer attorneys, including Bill Ginsberg, who read drafts of the proposed law and made important comments which helped us to create a far-reaching zoning law.
(I was chair of the committee that wrote the law for Woodstock, working with then supervisor Brian Hollander.)
Stanley Bryer for decades was a leading environmental attorney who worked tirelessly to protect the waterways, for instance, of the Catskills from pollution and overdevelopment. I had heard that Bryer singlehandedly had stopped the construction of a nuclear power plant along a Catskill waterway.
All hail to the memory of a great Woodstocker, Stanley Bryer.
Edward Sanders
Woodstock
Teachers For Sarahana
I am a public school teacher here in the Hudson Valley and my vote is with Sarahana Shrestha this June! Our schools are being squeezed by proposed budget cuts in Albany and declining student numbers in our region, but Sarahana has stood up and fought alongside us each step of the way. There’s good reason she was endorsed by NYSUT (not to mention dozens of other organizations and unions). Her opponent, Gabi Madden, on the other hand, has accepted donations from charter school owners and financiers. In this moment, when our Catskill and Hudson Valley schools are vulnerable, we cannot afford any further intrusion from wealthy, NYC-based charter school interests. My vote will be with Sarahana this primary. I humbly ask that you stand with our students, school support staff and teachers, just as Sarahana does. Thank you!
James Laudano
Kingston
From the Trumpster, to the DUMPster!
(Please read the below reprinted article I wrote in 2020, now with an updated addendum.)
On June 17, 2020, president Trump organized a public gathering to honor the PREVENTS Task Force for their efforts, and to appreciate them for their findings after one year of work. The PREVENTS Task Force, (President’s Roadmap to empower Veterans and End the National Tragedy of Suicide), was formed on March 5, 2019 to find new creative ideas to help reduce the veteran suicide rate in our country. I sincerely hope the new ideas of the task force turn out to be very successful. Nothing would please me more, since the vet suicide rate has been an ongoing tragedy for years now.
But my issue is not with the task force. It is with the unbelievable hypocrisy of Mr. Trump. The gathering by Trump was set up to appeal to the religious right by having a veteran talk about how Jesus Christ saved his life after an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Then, in closing, Robert Wilkie, the secretary of veteran affairs also brought up Jesus Christ in his final words. Once again it came off as another staged performance for Trump’s base. But I think Trump forgot one minor detail — that there are many religious right enthusiasts who are no longer turning a blind eye from the truth about Donald Trump. They are also well aware and disgusted with the devious Russian plan to pay big money to Taliban fighters who kill American soldiers. And the same Christian right is also well aware that the president had that exact information in February, but did absolutely nothing about it. In fact, he had six, count them, six private phone calls with Vladimir Puten during the spring months. I wonder what they could have talked about. Don’t you?
And when the newspapers broke the news about the diabolical Russian scheme last week, people across the country were outraged. But Trump still hasn’t said a word about it. The president of our United States is not saying a word about it to at least let our active military believe he cares about them. Nothing! Hard to believe. And now, after further investigation, it appears that a number of Taliban fighters were actually paid money after a few of our soldiers were killed. That makes me furious.
So, Mr. Trump, go on believing that the good people of the religious right will still support you no matter what you do, or don’t do. Go on believing that they will vote for you in November even though you have clearly betrayed and abandoned our troops. It appears to me that your number is up. On November 4th I look forward to saying, “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Addendum: I wrote the above article in June of 2020 to wake up all veterans as well as all Christians. Now it’s been four more years of the same self-centered, narcissistic garbage from Donald Trump. Let’s not forget how little he cared about veterans back then, and how he manipulated so many people, including Christians. Let’s be real now, and call a spade a spade. Trump doesn’t care about veterans and he doesn’t care about Christians. He didn’t in 2020, and he doesn’t care now in 2024. In addition, he is now a convicted felon with more court cases and trials for his devious and destructive behavior coming up in the next year.
So back in 2020 you may have hoped for the best, and you drank his Kool-Aid. That was then. But this is now! Don’t double down with Trump and go over the cliff with him. You know the saying, “Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me.”
Marty Klein
Kingston
A clear meaning
Reversing Romine’s final statement in his letter to the editor (June 5, 2024) I come up with “Shame on Romine for his pretense of using “cherry picked” wording to document his anti-Semitism. For his information, Genocide is being committed, however, it is by Hamas against its own people. A nation committed to genocide does not warn a population to leave the area before beginning military maneuvers against specific people i.e. Hamas who have used their brethren as human shields.
Further, by no wild stretch has genocide occurred to the Palestinians when their population has increased by up to three times since the founding of Israel. No matter how Romine twists definitions, genocide means the severe decimation of a population and not its explosive growth.
For shame Romine!
Susan Puretz
Saugerties
Role of the Republican Party, #2
The Republican Party created FDR’s administration. If it wasn’t for their 81 percent, combined with the Democrats 87 percent, FDR most likely would not have been elected. But because Hoover’s first term did not address the Great Depression’s affect upon the citizens, the GOP realized a second term from him would witness more of the same as previous. And thus, leading to a turnover of Republicans during the mid-term elections. Therefore, they had no choice but to support Roosevelt; thus, the benefits programs we have now.
But our benefit programs have been under attack for years by the Republicans. They knew full well that once the federal government became involved in the social affairs of the states, it would not be ‘business as usual.’ They hated these socialistic programs then and hate them now. Because of this, there have been unremitting attacks on these programs, to the extent that James Roosevelt, FDR’s son, started the National Committee for the Preservation of Social Security and Medicare in 1982.
This program and the AARP are two large organizations that speak for the elderly, handicapped and lower income citizens. They bring to the public’s attention about what is going on in the government regarding our benefits, that’s right, our benefits, yours and mine.
Previously, I mentioned some of the attacks the Republicans have unleashed upon our benefits. I will list them once again. 1. Privatization — it is up to you to save for your medical and future expenses, that is, if you do that. There is always a roof to be replaced, an ailing family member, a grandchild in school, etc. 2. Trust Act — this would create a Social Security committee that would fast track congressional dialogue to cuts. 3. Reach Act — funds allocated by Medicare for person’s medical expenses, are subjected to corporate middlemen allocating portions and keeping the left over beyond what is allocated . (I don’t have to mention what that means.) 4. BBA, Balanced Budget Amendment — in order to address the budget, a percentage of benefit money will undergo cuts. 5. Fix-the debt — corporate CEOs slashing benefit money. 6. Business roundtable — CEOs leading the charge for deep cuts in benefits. 7. COLA — ’cost of living adjustment’: the elimination or cutting the cost-of-living adjustments to our benefits. 8. Rescue America — Senator Rick Scott sponsors an amendment that looks at our benefits every five years to determine if the cost is worth financing them!
AARP and the NCPSSM are two large programs that give this ‘ole’ prune information needed to understand what the GOP is doing to get out from under the benefit state. Until next time.
Robert LaPolt
New Paltz
Taking flight
If you never use your wings, you’ll forget how to fly.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Thanks for promoting our fair
The Friends of the Saugerties Public letter thank Hudson Valley One, Lighthouse TV23, WDST, Daily Freeman, Michael Campbell and the many others who promoted our recent library fair.
The universe blessed us with a perfect day and we are indebted to our most wonderful community who came out to support us in another successful event.
We also thank our favorite Mr. Good Humor man, aka Bob Siracusano, who once again treated the crowd to free ice cream.
This fair is a major undertaking for the Friends and it cannot happen without the support and help of our many dedicated volunteers who return year after year. We also thank the many donors who continue to give us the opportunity to support and even expand the library’s programs as well as award a Saugerties High School scholarship.
Thanks are extended to our face painter Tammy Drost and Rae Stang whose Lucky Lil’ Carnival continues to delight the kids.
Ray Rebholz & Jennifer Kavanagh, Co-presidents
Friends of the Saugerties Public Library
I believe there are great things to come with Sarahana Shrestha
I was thrilled to be able to vote for Sarahana Shrestha the first time. I believe that strong policies focused on housing, the environment and community are what will continue to make Kingston the amazing place it is. I have only lived in Kingston for two years now, but know it’s going to be my home for a long time. And so I want to treat it that way by voting for someone who has a long-term vision for progressive change that benefits everyone.
As I’ve been able to find a community here in Kingston and Ulster County the same conversation comes up — housing. We don’t have enough and what we have is growing more and more out of the price range of the average person. I don’t have an evidence to believe Gabi Madden has our best interest at heart. As I write this, 18 individuals have donated the maximum amount of $3,000 to her campaign — only two have registered addresses within our 103rd assembly district. Most of these donors come from New York City, Long Island and even one from New Jersey! Kingston and Ulster County needs thoughtful leadership on how to improve the housing situation, and while developers are necessary in growing the housing inventory, our representatives should not be beholden to their demands.
Change takes time, and we need to think about the long term. I believe Sarahana has already proved she has our best interest at heart with the votes she’s made in the assembly and the work she’s done to support our 103rd district. She deserves more time to continue the good work she’s doing. I believe there are great things to come.
Kyle Black
Kingston
Join me in showing Assemblymember Shrestha that we have her back
On June 25, the Democrats of Assembly District 103 will have a choice to make. In my opinion, it isn’t a difficult one by any means. Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha has said that “The future must be beautiful” and she is delivering. To cite just one of the biggest examples to date: she fought hard for the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA), which requires the New York Power Authority (NYPA), to generate all of its electricity from clean energy by the year 2030. It would also allow for the building of public renewables while phasing out fossil fuels. Considering the NYPA was created over 90 years ago, one ought to be able to agree that its current mission should be updated. BPRA does just that!
On a more personal note (and a different topic), I’d like to thank Assemblymember Shrestha for her steadfast support of our district’s various community services. Her office has awarded grants in the sum of $60,000 to libraries and $430,000 total to other organizations across the district (such as the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Gardiner). As a lifelong Saugertesian, public servant and working class Democrat, I could not ask for better representation. Early voting is also underway and runs through June 23. Join me in showing Assemblymember Shrestha that we have her back!
Tim Scott, Jr.
Saugerties
Working with Sarahana Shrestha
From the moment she took office, Assemblywoman Shrestha’s team has been wonderful to work with. Her staff have been responsive to every constituent issue I have sought their assistance with and very effective in finding resolutions. For matters relating to my role as majority leader in the Ulster County Legislature I have worked directly with her and her chief of staff to coordinate state-level legislation and home-rule requests.
Let me reiterate: her office hasn’t missed a beat, not once.
I’m very grateful to have Sarahana Shrestha as our representative and she has certainly earned my support to continue serving our community. We must avoid a return to the type of political tribalism that in the past ran rampant through our community.
Voters, especially those of the new generation, know that the system has been rigged against working class people for far too long. We will only succeed by taking a new approach and challenging the power structures in place, and yes, we can do that while continuing to work together as elected officials and meeting our constituents’ day-to-day needs. That is exactly what Sarahana has brought to the table and delivered on in her first term, and I am proud to support her reelection this cycle as well.
Abe Uchitelle, Majority Leader
Ulster County Legislator (D-Kingston)
Pro-development program is a bad fit for Woodstock
It is immensely disappointing to watch our Woodstock Town Board devolve into legislation by fiat. By a 3-2 vote with virtually no prior warning, no public participation and apparently only one committee’s verbal support (housing) Bill McKenna, Laura Ricci and Anula Courtis have passed a ” pledge” to become a New York pro-housing community. This means that Woodstock has joined major cities and some distressed areas in our state to add a ” broad range of housing” to quell the ” housing crisis” which has been brought on for the most part by the short-term rental phenomenon, high interest rates and very high property taxes. Throw in climate migration for good measure.
Woodstock property owners and long-time residents have been blindsided by this brazen “pledge” to open up our small rural village to wide-scale development. That this was orchestrated by a slim majority of board members during a sparsely attended summer meeting in the middle of long-debated proposed local zoning changes shows how desperate the “build, build, build” crowd here has become. This action by only a few hurts our community in so many ways and should be rescinded and tabled until there has been further study, public input and open hearings. I’m hoping our governor and local committees and agencies agree that a transparent public process is essential to our democracy and community fabric when deciding our shared future, especially for a pro-development program that is such a bad fit for Woodstock.
Does being a pro-housing community mandate only affordable housing ? No. It makes development of a ” broad range” of housing easier and faster to build by ” streamlining” the process.
Does it end the housing lottery that makes any affordable housing we build in Woodstock available to local residents? No. It does not. Local working families will still need to join a list that includes everyone in New York seeking affordable housing. Good luck with that.
Does it include more Section 8 housing? Apparently not, but if it did, it would still be subject to statewide lottery.
Does it mean more infrastructure, traffic, pollution, environmental degradation and congestion? Yes. You bet.
Does it mean some Woodstockers and outside developers stand to gain financially? Yes. You bet.
Legislation by fiat is the definition of a dictatorship. I do not enjoy bearing the news to my fellow Woodstockers, but this appears to be what our small-town government has become. Shouldn’t the rest of us have a say in the future of our community? McKenna, Ricci and Courtis apparently believe we do not.
Michael Veitch
Woodstock
Time travel
We just got back from seeing a play from way back when: Cole Porter’s music, written initially by P.G. Wodehouse. What pure fun. If you can, go see Anything Goes at the Woodstock Playhouse.
The audience broke into spontaneous applause a number of times, it was that good.
I don’t even really like musicals — still I thoroughly appreciated this production. The orchestra is amazing, really, really wonderful. And a number of wonderful old familiar songs.
The costumes: Lots of sequins, white sailor costumes, eye candy.
The sets are great. And the tickets probably cost as much as travel and parking to see a Broadway show — and here we get to park gratis. I wish there would be a price for kids — I don’t know that there is.
I have no connection with The Playhouse and I don’t even know anyone onstage. I was surprised it was not sold out and we could still get seats. I hope you will go and enjoy it and that they will sell out the next number of shows. It looks like it is on through June 30.
Ruth Hirsch
Saugerties
Jonathan Grant’s confusions
Jonathan Grant’s rant against me last week has no logical continuity or connectivity. He’s all over the place with typical Democratic assumptions and bizarre conclusions.
First of all, I’ve never said that Donald Trump is my idol. But, compared to our current mentally deficient president and his intentional collapse of our national security, Donald Trump could suddenly become a heroic choice by many others with clear, functioning minds who have the ability to differentiate between success and failure.
“Deep state theories on judge Juan Merchan” and the metastasizing Soros cancer on America? Everyone but Jonathan saw the clear evidence of the bias demonstrated by Biden donor Merchan in the recent fiasco “trial” of Trump. Also, everyone has seen the evidence of Soros backed DA’s ruining our judicial systems, resulting in a significant increase in crime in many large blue cities. Apparently, Jonathan has been sleeping through all the news stories and videos that document these tragedies on innocent Americans.
In his confused support of me allegedly talking out of both sides of my mouth, Jonathan states that “John Butz says government does not know how to get things done but also says the government can collude and get things done” and that I should ”choose a lane, dude.” What does this double talk even mean? What examples support this obvious Democratic spin?
Jonathan goes on with “Trump is the King of election interference.” What about Biden’s CLEAR election interference by weaponizing the DOJ and FBI, a mere two weeks before the 2020 election, to lie about and cover up Hunter Biden’s laptop, labeling it Russian disinformation? Now, with Biden safely in office for 3 1/2 years, the DOJ and FBI have had an epiphany, reluctantly admitting to the fact that Russia had nothing to do with the tons of Biden incriminating evidence on the laptop.
Regarding peace in the Israel/Hamas confrontation, who besides Hamas wouldn’t want peace? Because I say that a ceasefire would give Hamas a victory doesn’t mean that I, too, don’t want peace … another poor assumption by Jonathan. Again, if Jonathan had been paying attention, all parties have presented reasonable peace options but Hamas keeps throwing a monkey wrench into any resolution possibilities by adding ridiculous and unreasonable demands at the eleventh hour. How is peace achieved when negotiating with animalistic, terrorist lunatics?
John N. Butz
Modena
Summer storms due for Sandy Schubert
More than two years since
we went to Booton one rainy
night to eat Turkish on Main
with Sandy and catch up
on all our latest news.
We dropped her home,
lingered, then left. But she
forgot her favorite umbrella.
I’ve resettled in the Catskills,
Johnny’s busy in Jersey building
his Poetry Empire. I Like Sandy
often on Facebook, but that
umbrella’s still in Johnny’s trunk.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
Vote for Democrat Gabi Madden
Irwin Sperber, in his letter last week in Hudson Valley One, says that I am part of some center-right group of Democrats opposed to the forward, youth-oriented movement of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). He is quite confused about me. I have been fighting for left-of-center, truly progressive causes and candidates since I was 14 years old. Now a senior, I am and have always been a progressive Democrat, not a center-right Democrat.
As such a Democrat, I believe in and fight for the litany of policy preferences Mr. Sperber notes are DSA causes, including the rich paying their fair share, support for public education, affordable housing, unions and decent wages for all and campaign finance reform. Democrats like Joe Biden, Kathy Hochul, Pat Ryan and I are also for universal healthcare, real environmental protection, including moving away as quickly as possible from fossil fuels, canceling student debt, enforcing the antitrust laws, fighting for reproductive freedom and for real democracy in the face of authoritarian Trumpism.
I would venture to guess that on policy, there is 85-90 percent overlap between progressive Democrats like me and the DSA. Where we differ significantly from the DSA is not so much in policy, it is in who we see as the enemy and how we fight those enemies. Democrats see the modern Republican Party, the Trumpist Party, as the enemy of progressive policies and indeed democracy. The DSA sees the enemy as other Democrats.
One does not see DSA members protesting Republicans. One does see them excoriating Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul on the steps of the Assembly beside a poster of a gravestone with the governor’s picture in the place of a skull and crossbones when they did not get all they insisted on in budget negotiations. Call me old fashioned, but I believe that Democrats should work together in Albany for common cause and not denigrate and slur other Democrats when you don’t get 100% of what you want.
One does see the DSA heckling the speeches of Democrats like Congressman Patrick Ryan (see Gardiner Town Hall, January 2, 2024), not allowing him to speak because he happened to support (along with our Democratic president) the only small-d democratic government in the Middle East, a longtime U.S. ally.
One also sees the DSA celebrating with Hamas supporters the day after that terrorist organization massacred 1,400 Jews in cold blood thereby starting the war that goes on today. Mr. Sperber says that the DSA stands for “Democracy in practice.” Well, I have seen firsthand what they practice; it’s disturbing and anything but democracy.
Effective members of the Assembly work on behalf of their districts, not giving priority to national or international ideologies. Effective Democratic members of the Assembly work with their Democratic majorities and executive to accomplish what is possible and don’t piss and moan, heckle and slur other Democrats when they don’t get everything they want.
I have confidence Gabi Madden will be a mature, grown-up and highly effective member of the Assembly. Vote for Democrat Gabi Madden.
Tom Kruglinski
Gardiner
Speak up
Everyone who eats food grown in this country has a stake in the next Farm Bill, though not as large a stake as (say) General Mills or Cargill. Speak up anyway.
As usual, most of the funding in the bill now being worked on in Congress will go to nourishing humans. That’s fine. There is still scope, however, for Congress to allocate wisely $19.5 billion that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) meant to be incorporated in the Farm Bill over five years to support cost-effective practices that improve soil carbon, reduce nitrogen losses and decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural production of food and fiber.
The whole amount earmarked in the IRA should go into existing USDA conservation programs in the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA. These programs help a broad swath of agriculturists save money while building soil resilience and reducing nitrogen runoff. Such measures these improve air and water quality for the general environment even as they increase the nutritional value of produce.
Just now (June 2024) neither chamber seems certain to channel all that IRA funding securely into added opportunities for American agriculturists to improve their bottom lines along with the soil, water and air from which (with much human effort, of course) our food supply comes. Food-eaters, air-breathers and water-drinkers should say to Congress “Use all those IRA dollars as they were meant to be used.”
To Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Charles Schumer, constituents from on and off the farm can say that the final senate version needs to specify greater access for farmers to Technical Service Providers, which the current House version does provide. Messages from inside or outside the farm gate to Rep. Pat Ryan or Rep. Marcus Molinaro can make the point that the next House version must not divert IRA $ from climate-smart practices that improve air, water and soil and conserve farmers’ fiscal resources.
Stephen Shafer
Saugerties
Eagerly casting my vote for Gabi Madden
The thing about Ms. Madden that first grabbed my attention, is her obvious commitment to service and her passion for the constituents of District 103. The job of an assemblyperson is to be the voice of the people they represent, which means not only writing and supporting bills that are relevant to our district, but also ensuring that funding and resources return to our region once those bills are passed.
Ms. Madden’s dedication to our community comes through when she speaks about policy. Her proposals for everything from Central Hudson — with her two-pronged approach for both immediate and long-term solutions — to affordable housing, to healthcare protections, reflect the diverse needs of our area. Her passion is listening to her constituents and resolving their issues, having personally resolved thousands of constituent cases during her more than five years working in the state legislature. I encourage you to watch the debates online and to familiarize yourself with the Madden Plan on her website. I, for one, eagerly cast my ballot for Gabi Madden to be our voice in Albany.
Kelly Polston
Saugerties
Support DA103, support Gabi Madden
I’m a life-long constituent of DA103 writing to share my support for Gabi Madden. Gabi has taken time to engage with residents one-on-one, myself and my neighbors included, and directly address our concerns.
Unlike her opponent, Gabi’s heart is, and has always been, in local politics. Born and raised here, she has been actively involved in our political scene since graduating college. Her long-standing commitment and focus on local issues make her the ideal candidate. Gabi’s platform includes:
• Focusing on practical solutions to improve our daily lives.
• Actively listening to and engaging with all community members.
• Advocating for fair utility rates and transparency from companies like Central Hudson.
• Promoting unity and respectful dialogue in political discourse.
Gabi Madden is the right choice for our community, and I encourage you to support her in the upcoming primary. Your vote can make a difference in securing a representative who truly cares about us all.
Sarah Stone
Hurley
Vote for the real Dems in Hurley
Two years ago I joined the Hurley Democratic Committee to spearhead a voter outreach program called “Neighbor to Neighbor.” I loved the idea of reaching out to my neighbors and others in my town to speak about issues that mattered to them, to function as a liaison from voters to candidates and perhaps motivate people to vote. This voter outreach program IS making a difference. However, witnessing the political landscape in Hurley has erased my naïve belief that self-interest and personal vendettas would not be an issue in my town.
It turns out that a group of people decided to try to overtake the Hurley Democratic Committee (HDC). They are not challenging the current committee because they think they can do a better job or have ideological differences. In fact, some of them have not voted since 2016. Others have democratic “scores” indicating they mostly vote for Republicans. Some are large landholders looking to influence the town board. Many of these challengers supported the candidates who ran as Republicans in the November election.
The current Hurley Democratic Committee has made tremendous inroads in engaging voters and getting more people to the polls. In fact, last year the committee won an award for Hurley having one of the highest voter turnouts in the county. This is a critical time for state and national elections in November. The HDC will not be able to do its work for the election if voted out in the primary. The Republican allied challengers have no intention of doing this work. If you live in Hurley, please check which election district you are in on the board of elections website and vote for the two committee members who will really do the hard but necessary work.
Zahava Wilson
Town of Hurley
Vote Gabi for experience, accountability and independent thinking!
As a concerned citizen of our community, I am writing to express my strong support for Gabi Madden’s candidacy for New York State Assembly.
Independent Thinking: Gabi really shines when it comes to formulating opinions and writing legislation on the issues that affect us. She doesn’t just toe the line — she dives into the details, understanding the nuances of each issue and makes her own independent decisions on how to best tackle them.
Experience: Gabi Madden knows how to effectively advocate for our community’s needs. Gabi’s impressive track record includes contributing to critical legislation such as codifying Roe v. Wade in New York, advocating for The Gas Holiday and supporting NY’s CLCPA (significant climate legislation).
Substance Over Style: Instead of promoting heated rhetoric, Gabi focuses on substance. She understands the intricacies of policy-making and has the expertise to drive meaningful change. Her commitment to evidence-based solutions sets her apart.
Accountability: Born and raised in our district, Gabi is not just a politician, she is a member of our community, accountable to her family, friends and fellow residents. Her determination to help as many people as possible and sponsor legislation that directly benefits us is the reason she is running for this position.
Let’s rally behind Gabi Madden — she is an independent thinker with the experience we need to get the job done for the people she genuinely cares about in District AD103!
Kimberly Mayer
Gardiner
The honor system
You stole my money if I gave it to you for agreed upon reasons, like paying for a strong Navy, or child care, and then you gave it away without my permission.
Forgiven college loans is a political dirty trick by a dishonest political party that is trying to hold on to power at all costs. Of course we do not trust Joe Biden. Bite me!
Paul Raymond
New Paltz
Gabi Madden’s plan to regulate Central Hudson
For the past few years, I, as well as thousands of consumers, have faced exorbitant and erroneous bills from Central Hudson. After dozens of dead-end phone calls to Central Hudson, I have overpaid multiple times. Gabi Madden’s short-term and long-term plans to manage this situation through legislation and oversight will be welcome indeed. Her plan to regulate supply and hedging practices and hold Central Hudson accountable will ensure that these billing errors do not continue. Gabi’s long-term plan to move to a public option and continue the move to green energy will help the environment and keep energy affordable for consumers.
Lee Griggs
Kingston
Shrestha/Madden debate coverage
When I saw the Daily Freeman headline: “Madden Raps Shrestha over Record,” I eagerly opened the video for the debate, expecting fireworks between the candidates.
Instead, what I heard from Madden was vague agreement with Shrestha’s long-term goals and a bizarre argument that a legislator who focused on tinkering around the edges of the major problems facing our community would be a better representative than one who fought for real change. She did little to differentiate herself or her vision — even her main critique that money isn’t coming back to the district wasn’t backed up by any specific numbers or examples.
In contrast, Shrestha came across as knowledgeable and effective. She spoke confidently about the key issues facing our district, from alarming Central Hudson costs to barriers to affordable health care, and made a compelling case for why we need legislators who, as she put it, “make non-starters possibilities.”
Yet the Freeman story went out of its way to mislead the casual reader. Not only did the headline give too much credence to Madden’s weak arguments, but the photo in the paper didn’t even have Sarahana’s face in it!
A more appropriate headline description of this debate would be: “Newspaper carries water for challenger against Sarahana Shrestha.”
Eliza Blum
Kingston
Re-elect Sarahana for a bright future
I am writing as a local mother and small-business owner in support of democratic assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha for re-election.
Sarahana has a proven track record of working hard for the people in her district and is an advocate for the working class. Unlike so many politicians, she actually backs up her promises with action. In her first 18 months in office, she has introduced or co-sponsored 79 bills that passed in the Assembly. She is not afraid to push through bills that are possibly unpopular to corporate lobbyists, school and healthcare privatizers, fossil fuel polluters and luxury developers — on principle, she does not take donations from these groups so she does not need to placate them with palatable bills that do nothing for the average person in Ulster County.
Sarahana needs your vote. Please help re-elect Sarahana so she can continue to create a bright future for Ulster County.
Jasmin Attalla
Kingston
We need Sarahana Shrestha in the Assembly
I’m writing today to ask Democratic voters to support assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha in the upcoming Democratic primary for District 103. While there are many issues on our minds these days, there is one which speaks to me most personally and others across our district and beyond: the wellbeing of disabled people, my daughter Cassandra being one of them. She is 26 years old and was born with cerebral palsy. She cannot speak and is completely dependent on others for care. My husband and I participate in a program which classifies us as paid caregivers. My son acts as a designated representative, effectively his sister’s voice. Earlier this year, when the executive budget was released, we learned that Governor Hochul intended to eliminate the designated representative position. This would completely upend not only our own lives, but the lives of many across the state. I was horrified and yet determined to do everything I could to ensure this would not happen. I began one of many communications with Sarahana’s office about why designated representatives are a vital component to home health. Her staff listened. She listened. Thanks to her powerful advocacy during budget negotiations, designated representatives were preserved. I know the work isn’t done though. We need a powerful voice representing us in the Assembly. That voice is Sarahana Shrestha.
Mrs. Valerie Scott
Saugerties
A vote for Sarahana is a vote for our future
I am a retired public school teacher and a member of NYSUT, New York State United Teachers. Throughout my years of teaching, budget cuts were always on the table, with the threat of decreased programming and opportunities for our young people constantly hanging over our heads.
It seems no different with the Democrats in power today in Albany. Governor Hochul’s budget proposal this year would have had significant and deleterious effects on our students, and by extension, the future. Fortunately, those of us who are dismayed by proposed cuts to our schools have an ally in state assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, who worked with her colleagues to reject the governor’s cuts to local schools in this year’s state budget. Given the challenges that lie ahead, prioritizing a well-funded and robust education for our students seems a no-brainer.
We need our state representatives to stay vigilant to fight not only against cuts, but for the funding we need to deliver high quality education for all students. A vote for Sarahana gives our students — and our future — a fighting chance.
Molly A. Mackaman
Malden-on-Hudson
Gabi Madden for NYS Assembly
I urge my fellow Democrats in Assembly District 103 to vote for challenger Gabi Madden in the June 25 primary. Lost in the debate over one-term incumbent Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha’s polarizing views on the Middle East and her pursuit of national objectives dictated by the NYC-based Democratic Socialists of America party are immediate local needs faced by her constituents in the district. Shrestha has fallen woefully short in returning our tax dollars to the district, not just to townships hoping to complete critical public-works projects, but for local nonprofits serving some of our most financially challenged neighbors. These aspects of the job, along with effective in-district work on behalf of individual constituents who need help with specific issues in Albany, are critical. So is openness to communicating and collaborating with other elected local officials. Despite being a first-time candidate, Gabi Madden is the only person in this race with a demonstrated focus on, commitment to and expertise in the “nuts and bolts” aspects of being an effective representative for us in Albany, as proven through her strong professional experience working in the offices of state senator James Skoufis and former assemblymember Kevin Cahill. Gabi will bring smarts, energy, savvy and openness to the position, and, just as important, she’ll focus all four on the priorities that matter most to District 103.
Hayes Clement
Kingston
I will be supporting Sarahana Shrestha
I will be voting for assembly member Sarahana Shrestha on June 25.
She has demonstrated steadfast support for the working class, including renters like myself.
The significance of home — that is, safe, reliable housing — to human wellbeing and health in our communities is inarguable.
For my peers and me, and despite the existence of accommodating working class landlords, rent alone can equate to half or more of one’s full-time take-home income. Working more than one job may alleviate some of this financial stress, but burnout and instability loom as rent and other costs of living rise.
In this unrelenting market, many among us must forgo some of a person’s other most basic wellness needs in order to secure housing.
I appreciate that among her many undertakings, Sarahana emphasizes improvements to the necessities that are housing and healthcare. So far, she’s continued to defy standards by being unwavering and unwilling to cut corners on these matters most urgent to so many of us.
Her commitment to representing and providing accessible information and support, especially to the most vulnerable of our neighbors in these circumstances, gives me hope.
The future must be housed, the future must be healthy and the future must be beautiful.
Cora Noelle Mitchell
Saugerties
If you want a representative of integrity, the choice is clear
Gabi Madden speaks out of both sides of her mouth. She tells us she’ll push for housing affordability and tenant protections, but then accepts thousands upon thousands of dollars in campaign donations from real estate lobbyists, REBNY board members, and leaders of pro-landlord groups like the Hudson Valley Property Owners Association, which sued the city of Kingston over the Emergency Tenant Protection program. Madden tells us she’s a “hometown Hudson Valley” local who will fight to protect our district, but nearly all of her top contributions come from bankers and venture capitalists in New York City and Long Island. Of Madden’s top ten contributors, all of whom dropped the max amount of $3K, not a one resides in our district. Six of Shrestha’s top ten contributors live in our district, and the median contribution amount is $650.
The choice is so simple, Democrats. If you want a representative of integrity and transparency who refuses corporate money and champions the people who voted for her, reelect assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha. If you want a representative propped up by the real estate industry, vote Madden. But skip the sob story if she ends up winning and the affordability crisis in our community only grows. Madden’s made it quite clear from the company she keeps that she’s just fine with that.
Matthew Thompson
Kingston
Join the family! 
