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Why I am running for town supervisor in Woodstock
I am a proud Democrat who is running for town supervisor of Woodstock.
Woodstock deserves a more efficient and principled government, one that takes public safety seriously, makes wise investments in infrastructure, doesn’t micromanage every town employee and treats people fairly — whether they are wildly wealthy or flat broke.
I decided to run against Bill McKenna’s protégé Anula Courtis and his pal Erin Moran (who has been in the news regarding Yankeetown Pond) for the following reasons:
Longtime supervisor McKenna and town board member Courtis dawdled while criminals threatened our water supply, dumping toxic waste in an ecologically sensitive area. I would have enforced laws on the books and cleaned up the Shady dump long ago.
On one of the coldest nights of the year, the supervisor just ejected unhoused people from the “warming center” — an uninviting, cramped room with a couple of chairs. If elected, I will ensure that our vulnerable neighbors have a safe and comfortable place to find shelter on freezing nights.
McKenna and Courtis also approved a fat raise of nearly 20 percent for the supervisor right after the last election. Let’s end the board’s ability to give elected officials such a windfall and establish term limits.
McKenna and Courtis recently cut the word “immigrants” from a human rights resolution. As the son of immigrants, I consider that an immoral decision. How soon we forget that most Americans descend from immigrants.
A little about my background: I’ve been in this area since 2004. I’m an award-winning journalist with more than three decades experience and have contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Guardian. I’m co-editor of the book Going for Broke: Living on the Edge in the World’s Richest Nation. For six years, I helped run an anti-poverty nonprofit founded by the legendary labor reporter Barbara Ehrenreich. I wrote about Woodstock’s free firewood program and now volunteer for the grassroots charity. I served on the Onteora School Board. I’m a member of the Woodstock Fire Department, Company Two and a sworn peace officer.
You can learn more about my campaign at WallisforWoodstock.com
David Wallis
Bearsville
Woodstock homeless kicked out of warming center
How a community treats its most vulnerable — whether children, infirm, elderly or homeless is always the measure of its humanity.
Last Tuesday, January 21st, in the aftermath of a Woodstock Town Board meeting, during an interview between our local radio show host Felicia and the Woodstock supervisor Bill McKenna, it was revealed that the supervisor had shut down Woodstock’s only warming center at the town hall. No signs were posted at the town hall and no effort was made by the supervisor to inform the six homeless people: a woman in her sixties, a younger woman and four men between the ages of 29 and 45. All have been homeless for quite some time and were using the hallway, a poor excuse for a “warming center” to begin with, to stay out of the recent bitter cold, where sub-zero temperatures went as low as minus six degrees.
During the interview, the supervisor, using very colorful language, angrily explained his reasons for shutting it down, asserting that the homeless people had “made a mess and destroyed the town hall.” Please note that the police station is directly next door to the warming center and has a direct 24-hour live surveillance video feed of the hallway, in which they slept on the bare wooden floor. One must ask, what were the police doing when or if they were supposedly “wrecking the place?” To date, no evidence of damage has been presented by the supervisor. I myself did not see any evidence of such when I visited and shot video at the already shut-down warming center directly after the town board meeting. You can find that two-minute video, which includes the supervisor’s explanation for shutting down the warming center on You Tube by clicking link or copying and pasting: https://youtu.be/A0I-TI1TZQI?si=DLzBO9PGB4dPBgGZ.
When further questioned, the supervisor stated that our homeless also can no longer use the bathroom at the town hall, meaning they no longer have a bathroom to use in the whole town of Woodstock because our only other public facilities shut down in the winter. He went on to say (see video) that “if the homeless find themselves in a fix,” they can sit in the police dispatch room, a tiny room with two seats and no bathroom or privacy. As an alternative, he suggested that they can be taken by the police to a warming center in Kingston.
When I questioned two of our long-term homeless citizens in the aftermath of the town hall being shut down, neither were aware that they were allowed sit in police dispatch or that they could get a ride to a warming center in Kingston. One of them was desperately concerned and anxious about where he could go in the bitter cold. Nobody offered to help him and it was only after he begged Woodstock police ‘officer Smith’ that he was given a ride to a warming center in Kingston. He is now back in Woodstock living in a tent along with two other Woodstockers that were kicked out and deported to Kingston.
According to town board member Anula Courtis the shutting down of the Woodstock warming center by the supervisor was known by the other town board members prior to Tuesday’s board meeting. If this is true, the supervisor and town board did their utmost to hide the information from the public and the media present during the meeting because it was only after the meeting when the supervisor was pressed for answers, that the facts were disclosed and this became public knowledge. This is inhumane and against everything Woodstock has stood for, and is further indication of why we so desperately need a change of leadership.
Chris Finlay
for Woodstockers United for Change
Trust and hope
Having recently spent a day at Woodstock Elementary School with second and fourth graders, along with the Historical Society of Woodstock (HSW) Education Committee members, I am quite reassured about our future. These local students all were inquisitive, involved, respectful and creative as they engaged with JoAnn Margolis (curator) and Jill Olesker (storyteller) in learning about the buildings and people of Woodstock, from the 1800’s through the present day. A full display of the main streets of Woodstock, complete with historical and present day photos, lit the students’ curiosity. They toured the streets (via the photos) and thoughtfully discussed the local livelihoods of community members. Most impressive was how the second and fourth graders recognized that by studying the past, in relation to the present and future, people can adapt to circumstances and work together to form a sharing, caring community. Hats off to the librarian, teachers, principal, the HSW and mostly, the students of Woodstock Elementary School.
So, whether we play the role of resident or visitor on Tinker Street, Mill Hill Road, or Rock City Road, remember that many young people (and some not so young) are deciphering what matters in creating a respectful and caring community. At one time or another, we are all role models as we go through our everyday lives. I urge us all to reflect upon the type of impression that we seek to make.
Terence Lover
Woodstock
Join us in supporting Tim Rogers for New Paltz town supervisor
“When I asked him why he wanted to be mayor, he told me that the village is the jewel of New Paltz, and he wanted to see that our jewel was cared for and nurtured in a way that protects its beauty and allows it to grow and thrive in ways that reflect our values.”
Almost exactly ten years ago, we wrote the above quote in a letter to this newspaper in support of our friend, Tim Rogers, when he first ran for mayor of the Village of New Paltz. Looking back now, we believe Tim lived up to his promise of providing stewardship that balanced the ideals that make the village unique with the practical goals that needed to be achieved. As mayor, he secured millions of dollars in grants for the village, investing in infrastructure, energy efficiency and equipment upgrades. And for nine years in a row, residents saw no increase to their village property taxes.
Now, Tim has decided he wants to bring his style of effective, practical and fiscally responsible governance to the position of New Paltz supervisor. Although we are no longer town residents, having moved from the Village to Esopus in 2015, we’re thrilled to support Tim’s candidacy to lead the town, where we still shop, eat, and, in many ways, still consider “home.”
With nearly a decade of experience leading the village and collaborating with his counterparts in town government under his belt, Tim is more than up to the task of becoming supervisor. Having dived deeply into the long-running debate over how best to share services between town and village through some type of government consolidation, he is well-versed in the potential benefits and challenges. We can think of no one more qualified to shepherd the Town of New Paltz through this maze of possible futures.
Please join us in supporting Tim Rogers for New Paltz town supervisor.
Brian Cournoyer & Karen Edelman
Esopus
Clear alternative?
In response to Mel Sadownick’s thoughtful letter, I agree that the most disheartening aspect of Trump’s win is that his voters knew they were voting for cruelty. I would like to add that Biden/Harris tragically did not offer a clear alternative to Trump, by their administration’s unwavering support for Israel’s ongoing ethnocide against the indigenous population of Palestine. Trump and Stefanik are now openly endorsing the removal of Gaza’s 2.2 million Arabs and Israel’s formal annexation of the West Bank. But other than lip service, the Biden administration’s actions were leading in the same direction. Biden could have stopped Israel’s scorched earth tactics in late 2023. It could have stopped the Israeli destruction of Gazan infrastructure, hospitals, schools and universities. It could have halted Israeli dispossession of West Bank Palestinians. Instead, it shipped Israel tens of billions in US weaponry and provided Israel’s Jewish-supremacist government diplomatic immunity. I don’t believe Democratic voters were blind to this hypocrisy. And so Trump’s full-throated brutality won on November 5.
Matt Frisch
Arkville
The inauguration of Trump’s oligarchy’s echo
Meet the new American oligarchy. [And fight back against] the Trump administration. America will not be the same after January 20! The new administration is an oligarchy that is taking shape in America. Marked by extreme wealth, power and influence that can jeopardize US democracy, basic rights and freedom. The three richest men in the world have Trump’s ear. It will all be controlled by the New American Oligarchy, billionaires like Musk, Bezos and Zuckerberg who don’t care how much your damn eggs cost!
Housing is unaffordable. Healthcare is unaffordable. The food is unaffordable. College is unaffordable. Oligarchy’s echo — the top 25 billionaires increased their wealth by $808 billion this year. “It’s not right vs. left. It is top vs. bottom.” And “only the billionaires can fix it” is a myth created by billionaires to make you blame the political divide instead of the class-divide for your problems.
Biden sent a stark message in his farewell speech. An oligarchy is taking shape in America. Has he not noticed we’ve had decades of “Big Oil” suppressing even the knowledge of man-made climate change, of “Big Pharma” and health insurance corporations dictating who is worthy of medical care, “Big Tobacco” getting its way pushing its life shortening product and of course, “Wall Street executives” and their influence in both Republican and Democratic White Houses alike. Let’s not forget “Citizens United” — regarding campaign finance laws and corporations [corporate money is “speech”] undermining government. A 5-4 conservative supreme court decision allowed billions of dollars pouring into elections. The influence of wealthy donors and dark money is unprecedented.
I think Biden/Harris as Dem candidates, and the party in general, should have made this their issue. If the vast middle and lower class are angry and don’t know why, this is why. That oligarchy speech is quintessential Biden: understated and slow to the game; he’s just now aware of our de facto oligarchy? Geez, Biden made a career representing Delaware, home of major credit companies.
The end of an era, the beginning of an error, yes, the beginning of MAGA’s imaginary greatest comeback in history! ROFLOL. Brace yourself for a very wild and dangerous four years. The new strongman, the first president, who’s a convicted felon. Oligarchy is gonna be the new buzzword during this Trumpian hose-job presidency. It will create anxiety and chaos.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
New Paltz Rescue is punching above their weight
One of the first resolutions our Village of New Paltz Board writes each year is the official ask for SUNY Impact Aid from our representatives in Albany. This resolution also functions as a snapshot to illustrate how busy New Paltz’s emergency services were during the previous year. The full resolution adopted on 1/8/25: https://tinyurl.com/SUNY-IMPACT-AID.
The section in our resolution that we wrote for New Paltz Rescue Squad highlights an agency who punches above their weight, serving New Paltz and beyond. Their response rate, volume of calls, including mutual aid outside of their district, is truly impressive.
From the resolution: “In 2024, ambulance calls to the SUNY New Paltz campus, off-campus housing, and university related nightlife represented a significant portion of New Paltz Rescue total annual call volume of 6,114.
Each year there are many calls resulting in a refusal of medical assistance. Given that New Paltz Rescue derives the majority of its operating revenue from billable calls, this has a serious negative fiscal impact on a budget that is subsidized by local taxpayers.
New Paltz Rescue had a tops-in-region overall response rate of 99.7% in 2024, including mutual aid calls and its primary service areas in the Towns of New Paltz and Lloyd. New Paltz Rescue’s response rate, plus responding to 1,491 mutual aid calls (24% of the year’s total call volume) highlights the broader region’s dependence on New Paltz Rescue. Only the City of Kingston’s municipally-funded ambulance service compares to New Paltz Rescue’s 99.7.% response rate and call volume.”
Our community is lucky to have New Paltz Rescue. Numerous communities across NYS are not as fortunate.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
Trump’s ears are deaf to all but the siren call of power and wealth
The day after the inauguration, with the Trump family and JD and Usha Vance in the front pews, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered a sermon.
Looking Trump right in the eye, she said: “Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.
“There are gay, lesbian and transgender children … some who fear for their lives. And the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meatpacking plants, who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals: they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals.
“I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people in this nation and the world. Amen.”
Around midnight of the next day, Trump lashed out on Truth Social: “The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the world of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart. She failed to mention the large number of illegal migrants that came into our country and killed people. Many were deposited from jails and mental institutions. It is a giant crime wave that is taking place in the USA. Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!”
Speaking truth to power only works when the power can hear it. Donald Trump’s ears are deaf to all but the siren call of power and wealth. It was an inspiring, straight-from-the-heart appeal, gently and thoughtfully delivered.
But don’t take my word for it: Watch the sermon for yourselves. Watch it for the immigrants, and for all the oppressed, all over the world. Watch it for your country, before it’s no longer your country, but Donald Trump’s.
Tom Cherwin
Saugerties
Last Year’s Things Away
I put unwanted things
away, things not already
lost, in a dark drawer, making
a mental note to lose
the tarnished, old key.
All your trappings, away:
the fake, the broken, all
in this deep drawer along
with the bittersweet, sealed
with your incredulous smile.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
Beware
In 2023, prior to the election for town supervisor, McKenna said. “I opted to suspend my campaign because of the negative personal attacks” and continued with “I am hosting a little gathering. This is NOT a fundraiser, just an opportunity for folks to hear my thoughts on Woodstock’s future.”
This year, according to HV1, supervisor Bill McKenna does not “intend” to seek re-election. Why didn’t he say he “will not” seek re-election? Is this another one of his back-door maneuvering?
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Take back the tap
It was delightful to read in HV1 about the rich history of the Binnewater Ice Company (1/22/25, “Flowing strong”). Who knew that the ice business involved firebombings?! I did want to take issue, however, with comments made by Marshall Gogg about echo typical industry marketing. Mr. Gogg claims that tap water is an unknown, that bottled water is safer and more convenient and that Binnewater has cut down on plastic use through the long fill cycle of five-gallon bottles. In truth, it’s overwhelmingly likely that your tap water is just as safe, healthy and tasty as any bottled water (and in fact, a lot of bottled water is just packaged from municipal water sources), is orders of magnitude more economical and is massively more environmentally sound. Even discounting plastics used to package bottled water, transportation is ecologically fraught compared to sending water through pipes. Don’t believe the hype and take back the tap!
Henry Pratt
Highland
Democrat’s self-deceit persists
Mel Sadownick’s letter entitled “To Dems: It wasn’t the price of eggs, but a deficit of compassion” needs a quick reality check.
First of all, Mel says Trump’s victories were “unexpected.” Mel apparently thinks that the high cost of inflation, price of eggs and the price of gas had nothing to do with why the Democrats experienced such a resounding defeat. Mel thinks the Democrats lost solely due to Trump’s “hatred, racism and anti-semitism.” Thus, his conclusion and silly advice to his fellow Democrats “to stop castigating themselves for the presence of inflation in the grocery aisles of America during the Biden regime” seems to have no basis since this all certainly DID take place only during the Biden regime.
I guess Mel didn’t notice that the above inflation and high costs was the number-one topic of concern among voters, and yes Mel, that even includes many of your Democratic compatriots. But, cost concerns were just the tip of the iceberg.
Illegal immigration was a close second as a main concern for most everyday voters of all stripes. There were several other key issues that also swayed many Democrats towards Trump because, for the first time, they began to question the direction and “values” of their own Democratic party. If all the negatives about Trump that Mel, Neil Jarmel and other anti-Trump writers have been citing for ages were anywhere near truth and facts, then Harris would have defeated “Hitler” in a landslide.
Regarding Mel’s overreactive fear of “mass deportation,” he must have missed the REAL news accounts that there are around 650,000 illegal criminals roaming free on American streets right now, and that they are the initial target of ICE and law enforcement. In the first couple days, they’ve only found around 500 of them. As time goes on, resources and costs will make finding the other 600,000 quite challenging. So Mel, I don’t think you have to worry about the remaining roughly 12,000,000 illegals ALL being deported.
As far as your references to Jesus and the Bible, your comparison of Jesus welcoming and being welcomed by “outsiders” and “strangers” is hardly the same as today’s illegal and poorly vetted “outsiders” and “strangers,” many of whom have made their intentions of harm very clear by their words and actions. Jesus was also a man of justice and I’m quite sure that, just for the sake of love and compassion, he didn’t intend us to be doormats and victims to the dangerous behaviors and actions of illegal “outsiders” and “strangers.”
John N. Butz
Modena
Counterpoints
In response to statements in Marty Martin’s letter in the 1/22/25 publication of HV1: everyone knows that Winston Farm was for sale for years before the current owners purchased it. What everyone needs to recall is that the price was many millions more than what they paid for it. The statement that it was for sale and “no one bought it,” which has oft been repeated, including by our town supervisor, is as disingenuous as it is pointless and is a distraction from the discussion about what kind of development (if any), how much development (if any), and the SEQR process (if followed) which will inform the town board’s decisions. Nor is it a justification for development.
Mr. Martin states that those opposing overdevelopment are demanding that 75% of the property “stay natural” and says “no developer would agree to that.” The figure (73% to be accurate) of required open space (to use the correct terminology) did not come out of nowhere, nor is it the outrageous demand Mr. Martin seems to think it is. It is, in fact, a requirement of the Saugerties comprehensive plan, which the planned development district (PPD) must adhere to. In a conversation I had with an Ulster County official, it was said that if the PDD did not adhere to the town’s comprehensive plan, the town could be sued and the first question a judge would raise would be whether the PDD adhered to the town comprehensive plan, and that in such circumstances, judges tend to determine in favor of following the comprehensive plan.
Those who have been voicing concerns over the development plans have consistently grounded their statements in up-to-date ecological, biological, hydrological and other relevant science-based evidence, which any acceptable PDD should be grounded in as well. The ecological health of any community is paramount — too often this is realized once it has been degraded to the detriment of our own health, well-being and safety.
Margarita Asiain
Saugerties
The power grab
Newly inaugurated President Trump appears to have little regard for our rule of law. In just his first few days, he has demonstrated his contempt for our system of government.
First, he pardoned about 1,500 convicted participants in the January 6, 2021 riot, many of whom attacked and injured police officers protecting our capitol. While unwise, he did at least have the legal authority to make these pardons.
But, second, he attempted to deny citizenship to people born in this county, despite the clear statement in the 14th amendment “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” The president cannot change the Constitution.
Then, third, he fired over a dozen inspectors general through emails sent Friday evening. But the law requires him to give Congress 30 days notice and detailed reasons for firing these watchdogs who were confirmed by the Senate. He flouted that requirement in our laws.
He warned us in the campaign of his intention to drastically remake government. But I believe most of the 49% of voters who supported him expected him to respect the law. He has betrayed those expectations and our system of government.
Kathy Gordon
Saugerties
Back roads
Back roads have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I know most of them within 30 miles of where I’ve lived since 1948. They’re more than shortcuts — they’re a kind of art, though not many people seem to notice that anymore. Roads like North Ohioville aren’t forgiving. They have blind hills that dare you to guess what’s coming and narrow shoulders that leave no room for error. Driving them takes care and patience — qualities that feel harder to find nowadays.
I’ve always believed the way people drive reflects how they’re feeling. And lately, it’s not good. Drivers seem stressed, angry and weighed down by a world that feels increasingly unkind. They let it out in their cars — blowing through stop signs, tailgating, shouting from behind the glass. It’s a place to vent with no one to answer, but it’s unsafe. Every day, I see people turn their cars into rolling pressure cookers, unleashing all the frustration they can’t express elsewhere.
Maybe it’s because we’re all overwhelmed. It feels impossible to find truth, let alone kindness. Everything we hear — especially on the news — seems designed to fuel fear and division. Decisions feel out of reach, and civility seems like a luxury we’ve lost. It’s no wonder people take it out on the road. They grip the wheel like it’s holding their lives together, hurtling forward without a second thought.
But me? I slow down. I hug the shoulder and take my time over those blind hills. Not because I trust the road but because I don’t. And in that slowing down, I’ve found something rare — a moment to breathe, to think. Back roads may be unpredictable, but they’re honest. They don’t pretend to be anything other than what they are: narrow, winding and stubborn.
Driving them reminds me that life is a lot like these roads. The hills you can’t see over, the twists you don’t expect — they demand care, patience and a willingness to adapt. In a chaotic world, the back roads offer a quiet lesson: slow down, take care and remember that not everything needs to be a race to the next blind hill.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
Get your game face on
My Yankee cap adds two inches to my height.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Solidarity forever!
Congratulations to Starbucks workers who voted to unionize their shop on Massa Drive in the Town of Ulster! They are the first in the Hudson Valley to do so. Unions helped pave the way for what our middle class used to be before our federal government and select state governments decided to wage war on them. Today, with more bad actors severely devaluing labor and leaving working people in the cold, it is no coincidence that a new generation is choosing to step up and take them on vote by vote. Respect is a two-way street and it is far past time that was recognized at the bargaining table and in the workplace. Solidarity forever!
Tim Scott, Jr.
Saugerties
Immigration
The only difference between Trump’s immigrants and Hitler’s Jews
Is that crematoriums I don’t think he hopefully doesn’t plans to use.
But concentration camps are being built
Our taxes will really skyrocket yes they wilt
To see how bad it will be put this fact in your head
Last year Fulton County Ohio was paid 6.7 million by the Fed
For providing immigrants with a jail bed
Eleven-million jail beds will put us way deep in the red
There is gross misinformation about immigrants doing all sorts of criminal acts
The rest of the population does four times as many property crimes that is a fact
And by the way the immigrants are in no way illegal
Being undocumented is a civil offense that is all
Considering Trump’s totally unqualified picks
The government will be a dysfunctional mix
The immigrant’s concentration camp sites
Are bound to be a horror show that we must fight
Families will be separated, there won’t be enough beds
Food will be in short supply, some will end up dead
Immigrants work at the jobs our citizens wouldn’t deign to take
They are paid less than the minimum wage as their bosses profits they rake
Immigrants pay taxes and Social Security
Which they won’t get to see
In World War II six-million died and we were silent
This time we can’t turn our backs on the violence
I.C.E. aren’t police and they don’t have valid warrants
Their very existence, like Storm Troopers, is an abhorrence
They detain frightened people without cause
What they do should give us all a pause
I know we are all busy but the Immigration issue needs us for it to work
That I urge you to go to the website for the Ulster Immigration Defense Network
If you live somewhere else
See what you can do yourself
See what jobs you can volunteer for
If you don’t the future you will abhor
If you would like a book to read
I would recommend Global Grace Cafe indeed
To quote Casablanca a movie that Paul Henreid was in
He said welcome to the fight, this time our side will win
John Rosett
Highland
Property tax changes for New Paltz low-income seniors
Some good news for New Paltz low-income seniors. The New Paltz Town Board has adopted a local law amending the senior property tax exemption maximum income limit. The maximum income exemption has been raised from $37,700 to $50,000.
According to town assessor Diane Lee, although the number of applicants who will qualify is relatively small, it will make a big difference in their lives. Like everyone else, these folks — some of them life-long residents of New Paltz — face rising costs of food, fuel and other expenses.
If you are 65 or older and believe you may qualify for a reduction of your property tax, please contact town assessor Diane Lee at 845-255-0103 or assessor@townofnewpaltz.org.
Amanda Gotto, Supervisor
Town of New Paltz
Join the family! 
