Letter-writers:
’Tis the season. With the general election coming on November 4, our print edition is being overwhelmed with letters backing or damning political candidates. Given our space limitation, that’s a mixed blessing. We have therefore reluctantly decided upon a three-week moratorium on long political letters only. For the issues of October 15, 22 and 29 only, we will limit the length of political letters to 150 words. Please give us the heart of what you want to say, and let it go at that.
Other letters remain limited to 300 words.
We much appreciate your understanding and cooperation. This note has been 110 words long.
— Hudson Valley One
The views and opinions expressed in our letters section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hudson Valley One. Submit a letter to the editor at deb@hudsonvalleyone.com.
Make Saugerties great again
On September 25, the Saugerties Republican Committee hosted a fundraiser at Mirabella’s Restaurant for local candidates. Although I was not able to attend, I was happy to hear that the event was very well-attended. In a show of support for Conservative-endorsed Republican candidates as well as for Zach Horton (a Conservative endorsed by the Republican Party, an incumbent running again for town board), several Conservative Party members were in attendance, including acting chairman of the Saugerties Conservative Party and also the Conservative candidate for town supervisor Gaetana Ciarlante, and committeeman Jim McCasland. It is very encouraging to see Republicans and Conservatives joining together to make Saugerties great again.
Suzanne Van Wagenen
Saugerties
Posted by Trump
“Thanks to already proven examples of AI being abused by devious people,” wrote John N. Butz, “the challenge grows more difficult to find accurate and honest accounts of just about anything.”
Donald Trump is under fire after posting an AI-generated video that mocked House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries with a sombrero and mustache and has faked Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s voice to deliver insults. The post came just hours after Trump met with Jeffries and Schumer at the White House over a looming government shutdown.
Jeffries responded: “Bigotry will get you nowhere.”
It is what it is. We knew who he was from the last time he was elected to the White House, and yet, some felt he was the guy. I will never understand it. But the Trumpublicans said that “the left” needs to tone down the rhetoric.
Come on, you know that was a funny video-opined MAGA piece that was only funny to racists and bigots. Do you, dear reader of letters to editor, think John Butz found it funny? I’ve never read where Butz has called Trump a clown for any of his immoral behavior or miscreant fascist or racist offerings.
All you Trumpsters know that Donald Trump is a “national embarrassment” for posting that “disgusting” AI-altered video. Yeah, I’ll say it again, “Trump’s an effn clown. It wasn’t funny, it was racist.”
Do you agree with me, Mr. Butz? You could say, “Yes, it was bad and bigoted” if you’re an honest man. Or we can hear crickets from you once more.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Good for Gardiner’s future
Elect Mike Hartner on November 4 for Gardiner town supervisor. A town-board member, Mike is involved in town committees, and has professional administrative experience that gives him a depth of knowledge and expertise any town would want for its supervisor.
That experience counts because even small towns are very complicated organizations. How the town operates, local zoning laws, water supply issues, and environmental matters are all part of Mike’s experience.
Aside from being on the town board, Mike is chair of the water committee and was chair of the environmental conservation committee. I have worked with Mike on several matters. He is a lifelong learner, a researcher, a thoughtful thinker, has a love for the community, and has skills and experience that will benefit Gardiner and its future. Vote for Mike Hartner November 4.
Linda Geary
Gardiner
Committed to Saugerties
It’s time for a breath of fresh air in Saugerties. That’s why I’ll be casting my vote in the upcoming local elections for Bill Barr and Stephanie Bassler for town board, and Anne Peters for county legislator in District 2.
Through personal interaction, reading the campaign literature available on their websites and hearing them speak about the issues facing Saugerties I’m confident they are the right choice for Saugerties. As electees, I’m confident they will address a broad spectrum of issues that are not tied to an ideological agenda that doesn’t suit our town.
Our veterans need community support, not cuts; residents need affordable housing, not McMansions; Saugerties needs a good balance between housing and open space; hardworking neighbors who work, pay their taxes, and raise their families here deserve to live without fear; authority comes with accountability.
These candidates’ priorities revolve around keeping our community safe, affordable and healthy. Bill Barr, a veteran and career federal employee, has shown his commitment to Saugerties on the village planning board and the tree commission. Stephanie Bassler is an architect with a focus on sustainable planning. Ann Peters is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident with a solid history of giving back to the community.
I’m voting for their values. I urge my neighbors to not sit out this important local election. Cast your votes for something new.
Teresa Giordano
Saugerties
Be as brave as Steve
Banned Books Week, raising awareness about attempts to ban books in libraries and schools, is October 5 to 11. The American Library Association’s (ALA) mission is: “Empowering and advocating for libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all.”
It is important to be aware of how many books, and why, are being banned in the United States. I am writing this article to raise awareness about this happening across our country during Banned Books Week. Why are some books banned? They portray strong women including promoting girl power, are believed to have sexual components to the story or often target LGBTQ+ and people of color.
Some examples of why books are banned: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank L. Baum: strong female, promotes girl power; Maya Angelou’s I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, anti-white messaging; Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl, “A downer for my child to read”; and Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, psychologically damaging, contains elements of witchcraft and supernatural elements
According to ALA, “Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members, and administrators initiated 72 percent of demands to censor books in schools and public libraries.” It is our right to have freedom of speech and not have government or elected officials stop bookstores or libraries from putting a book on a shelf. This is unconstitutional and violates our First-Amendment rights.
A bookstore owner named Steve put up a display of banned books in his store. He took a chance in a Methodist camp meeting town that could have had negative repercussions for his business. Instead, his found encouragement and gratitude from his customers. Let’s protect our children’s rights to read books that expand their minds and their world. Let’s be as brave as Steve!
Sherry Runk
New Paltz
Dirty laundry?
Trump is a lousy businessman but a great money launderer.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
A Woodstock write-in
Don’t let the 26 percent of Woodstock’s voters, who voted in the Democratic primary, decide who will serve on the town board. That’s not a mandate, it’s a fraction of the total voters. Now, every voter — no matter what, if any, party they are affiliated with — has the chance to elect Marcel Nagele as a member of the town board. Instead of voting for both of the listed town-board-member candidates, use a write-in vote. It is a simple process. Write his name in the ballot within the designated write-in box. Absentee voters, follow all the above guidelines and make sure your ballot is postmarked by election day.
Why Marcel? He is a longtime Woodstock resident, a business owner and a civic watchdog who has engaged in more town issues than the other two candidates listed on the ballot. Think about the time and effort he committed to resolving the Shady dump and his call for an independent, expert-led investigation to trace the sources of PFAS contamination Woodstock’s drinking water — persevering in a time of evasiveness and a lack of transparency by those in charge.
If Marcel’s customers, friends, neighbors and followers believe Woodstock deserves a government that listens and acts, help spread the word, tell others, Write-in voting is a powerful option. A write-in vote for Marcel Nagele isn’t just a choice. it’s a statement. It says Woodstock wants better. It says we won’t let 26 percent of primary voters decide for the rest of us. It says representation should reflect the whole town.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
It could happen here
After a third battery storage system (BESS) fire in three months, governor Kathy. Hochul appointed a fire safety working group to investigate the fires and review New York’s battery safety standards. All three battery fires were contained, and no injuries were reported, though they did cause significant disruption.
The largest battery fire was at the 20-MW BESS facility in Jefferson County, which went online in March 2022. Residents within a mile of the fire were told to shelter in place. Governor Hochul’s office issued a warning, saying the fire caused significant damage, and was emitting large amounts of smoke that may pose health risks. The batteries continued to burn for about six days. Even after the fire burned out, officials said the area remained too hot to enter.
A fire at a 5-MW BESS substation facility in East Hampton closed nearby roads and disrupted LIRR service.
A fire at a 12-MW battery facility in Orange County, installed a month earlier, smoldered for a week. Officials said a storm caused the newly activated units to ignite and burn in two separate incidents.
The governor’s working group recommended updates to the fire code to improve coordination, safety and emergency preparedness for energy-storage projects, but the 20-MW battery system was the largest fire assessed.
The Town of Ulster is considering a 250-MW battery system, a system over twelve times larger than the largest fire examined by the working group. The Moss Landing fire showed how to respond to a large-scale battery fire. The Town of Ulster would evacuate a two-mile area, close the New York Thruway, and let the fire burn itself out.
Instead of claiming a battery fire can’t happen here, the town needs to consider the serious possibility that it could happen here.
Ken Panza
Woodstock
Over the tax cap
Saugerties homeowners, are we really going over the two percent tax cap again?
Paul and Claudia Andreassen
Malden on Hudson
Sincere and approachable
Recently, I had the chance to meet Ron Polacco when he knocked on my door while out speaking with neighbors. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about him before that moment. But after our conversation, Ron has earned not only my support, but my family’s as well.
Ron took the time to talk with me about issues that directly affect my life. He spoke about the burden of rising property taxes, something my family and so many others are struggling with. His commitment to fight for the implementation of a property-tax cap would be a game-changer for hardworking families in our community. Ron also addressed the struggles small business owners face, and how cutting unnecessary red tape can help strengthen the very foundation of our local economy.
What impressed me most was how sincere and approachable Ron was. He answered every question I had with honesty and clarity, without the typical political spin. It’s rare these days to meet a candidate who truly listens and cares about the people he hopes to represent. I may not have known Ron before he knocked on my door, but after that conversation, I am proud to say he has my vote. Ron Polacco is exactly the kind of common-sense leader we need representing District 2 in the Ulster County Legislature.
Brian June
Saugerties
A devotion to service
It’s been 40 years since the education director of Eastern Correctional Facility entered purposefully and confidently into the annex one-room classroom to introduce himself to the staff and students. Tall and classically attired, Michael Hartner quickly assured the staff that they were supported and encouraged by the administration.
This support is the lifeline on which correctional educators depend, and Hartner soon became a trusted friend. During my twelve years teaching at Eastern, Mike’s steady leadership as education director was a supportive guide in my own development as a productive and confident member of the staff. Through his mentorship, I entered the supervisory ranks and on to new challenges.
Mike was a valuable member of the administration which included luminaries like superintendent Dave Miller and two future corrections commissioners, Philip Coombs and Glenn Gourd.
Mike Hartner’s career took him to many leadership positions in the Hudson Valley, Long Island and Taconic Hills. Wherever that career took him, there was one constant, a devotion true to the dictates of service.
Jaik Schubert
Rifton
Quiet and effective
I don’t know William Weinstein, but his ugly letter attacking Democratic Supervisor Amanda Gotto needs a response. Amanda is the epitome of every value we Democrats cherish. She petitioned for Pat Ryan, Michelle Hinchey, Sarahana Shrestha, Manny Nneji, and every Democrat on the ballot, all the way down to mayor Rogers. If you were there with us, Mr. Weinstein, knocking on doors, writing postcards, and making phone calls, forgive me for not remembering seeing you there.
Amanda has deep green credentials: she was instrumental in accomplishing and documenting the projects necessary to obtain bronze certification from the New York Climate Smart Communities Program.
A prime motivation for many of the actions is to save taxpayer money! Amanda walks the talk, too, as she carpools when possible, drives an electric car, and has solar panels, among other eco-friendly practices.
Amanda is not loud or self-aggrandizing and does not spend much time on social media, but she is quietly and effectively doing her job as our town supervisor with the utmost integrity and grit. She deserves our vote, and I will be voting for Amanda without a shred of hesitation.
Janelle Peotter
New Paltz
The bigger picture
I am writing to express my heartfelt support for the re-election of Paul Ruggerio as our Town of Newburgh councilman. Over his tenure, Paul has proven himself to be a man of unwavering integrity and reliability, consistently demonstrating his commitment to the betterment of our community.
Paul’s dedication is evident in the way he seeks answers and solutions to the questions and concerns residents raise regarding the direction of the town council. He is always attentive to the needs of all residents, ensuring that the council’s actions reflect the best interests of our diverse community.
What sets Paul apart is his ability to see the bigger picture. He understands the importance of preserving the unique charm and beauty of Newburgh, while also encouraging responsible growth and development. His support for new homes and businesses is always balanced with careful consideration for what makes our town special.
Throughout his service, Paul has shown fairness, insight, and common sense. He approaches every issue with an open mind and a steady hand, making decisions that benefit our town both now and for generations to come. His integrity and thoughtful leadership are qualities we cannot afford to lose on the town council.
As we approach Election Day on November 4, 2025, I urge all residents to come together and vote to keep Paul Ruggerio working for us. Let’s ensure that Newburgh continues to move in the right direction by re-electing a councilman who truly cares about our town’s future.
Let’s keep Paul Ruggerio on the Town of Newburgh council. Your vote matters—let’s make it count for the good of our community.
Dr. Parry A. Peet
Town of Newburgh
Silence is the enemy
My husband and I recently traveled to Italy. We are both U.S. citizens, but for the first time in my life, I worried that upon reentry, U.S. government officials would review my online political writings, all of which are protected under the First Amendment, and treat me as an “enemy from within.” This is the language the Trump regime has been using to define everyone who is protesting against the cruelty and corruption of the federal administration. And, despite the false narratives being shared by so-called news outlets like Fox, the vast majority of us have been exercising our rights peacefully (unlike, for example, the January 6th violent insurrectionists).
I don’t believe my fear of retribution was unfounded. While we were abroad, Trump addressed a gathering at Quantico of the country’s top military commanders and told them, “we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds.”
And how does Trump define “dangerous” cities? By singling out those that are Democrat-controlled, lying about crime statistics, and using inflammatory language like “hellscapes” and “radical lunatics” to rile up his base.
But the only real danger is Trump’s maniacal desire to destroy our democracy — and allowing fear of his threats to keep us from speaking out and showing up in every way that we can. Silence is the enemy from within.
Charlotte Adamis
Kingston
Liabilities
I think of the loss
of my wisdom teeth
when seasons change
and blood thickens
or thins. Some surfaced
with pain; some did not.
Liabilities in my house
of pearly whites.
All of them gone now,
yanked out like errant
squatters taking up
too much space, crowding
my mouth. And so
the dental surgeon
arrived, shed blood, left
a void in four corners that
time now has covered up.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
A few flashbacks
I spent a few years living in a military dictatorship, witnessing scenes that still give me nightmares. Reading the news from Washington and Chicago last week caused a few flashbacks.
Vive la Résistance!
Mauriac Cunningham
Saugerties
A problematical perspective
I’m concerned about how my most recent letter was published. I was misquoted more than once. I have never used the non-word problematical in my life.
In my previous email to you, I was clear that I wanted my comments from the UCIDA hearing published. Rather than make it clear, as I did, that this was the case by publishing that fact, you published it under “Pilots are problematical.” I feel this makes me seem as though I don’t use English properly and ask that you please change it for the online version.
It also meets the guidelines of being less than 300 words. So I cannot fathom why it was changed, and without my knowledge. I look forward to your response. I have always found you to be super-easy to work with and appreciate what you do.
Stana Weisburd
Village trustee, New Paltz
Are you as fed up as I am?
The current town supervisor has had for a combined 20 years on the town board to get this right and to look out for the future fiscal well-being of our community. It’s called planning. Yet, what has he done year after year? Aside from going above the two-percent tax cap every year, he prefers to be reactive rather than proactive with the town’s finances and planning for capital projects such as filing for bonds instead of planning capital projects and setting the money aside — and thus kicks the proverbial can down the road.
This is not sustainable.
Are you as fed up as I am? How can he preach about a lack of available housing when he is the biggest property owner in Glasco and its surrounds, often renting to those employed by the town, scooping up property and keeping home prices out of reach for the working class.
And how about those credit cards? Some of the charges went to regularly take the previous tax collector out to lunch, often to his own restaurant. The tax collector and a real-estate investor? Does that smack of insider trading to you?
Why are we still running town hall like it was some relic of the 1950s with patronage, bypassing town procurement policies, hiring at will, and pushing through agendas as quickly as possible hoping no one will notice? I’m afraid we’ve got more questions than answers here. This election is not about who resides in the White House, it’s about who resides in your house.
I’m running for town supervisor not just to get answers to these questions but to get us into the solutions. Early voting begins in October 25. Election Day is November 4th. Don’t sit this one out.
Gaetana Ciarlante
Town supervisor candidate, Saugerties
Borrowed time
B. awakens. She gets up and walks out on her little balcony at 3 a.m. Having spent most of her life in New York City, where the only stars to see are at the planetarium, she tells us that here she can step out onto her balcony and look up at the heavens. She has the experience of feeling both very small and at the same time – amazingly — part of a vast reality.
Another person tells us that having outlived both of his parents he feels he is living on borrowed time. “Everything is new now, being old,” he says.
He finds that the anxiety of living at the edge of the unknown also brings a sense of appreciation and gratitude. None of us knows how long we have left, but we are not in denial. In a world where everything is going too fast, we recognize that we are slowing down. We can and do feel out of synch. But slow has its depth, and the prospect of our end lends a preciousness to the here and now.
Yes, the news of the world can throw a shadow over our reflections. We are careful not to let too much of it come into our time together.
We all realize we are living in a very troubling moment in our history. But within our limited means we reach for a sense of meaning and purpose. We find that when we remember our connection to something larger than ourselves: to family, friends, neighbors, and this community.
And we have the stars.
Peter Pitzele
New Paltz
Wrong for New Paltz
I am writing because I am greatly distressed about the proposed new visitors’ center for New Paltz located on the green space between Broadhead Avenue and North Front Street. I have lived on Huguenot Street since February1994, and thoroughly enjoy the very special environment and peacefulness of the area. It is so relaxing and removed from the noise of everyday life. Taking walks on Huguenot Street as well as the rail-trail is enormously refreshing and adds so much to the quality of life.
I love the community of New Paltz and the wonderful surroundings it offers to countless people. The proposed plans for a new visitors’ center will change all that. Huguenot Street is the oldest continuously inhabited street in America and is a National Historic Landmark District (HHS). The size of the new building, 7400 square feet, additional 100 parking spaces, the outdoor amphitheater with potential amplification of voices and/or music from events, and the additional traffic will greatly harm our environment, quality of life and the historic integrity of the area. It is the very essence of what our community has known and loved for so many years.
I urgently request the Village Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission not approve the proposed plans for the New Paltz visitors’ center. Change should bring about enhanced living. This does the opposite.
Fonda Rothblatt
New Paltz
It’s really one community
Vote for Democrat Tim Rogers to be the next New Paltz town supervisor. The stakes are enormous. As the village steward for more than ten years, Tim has steered many millions of dollars to our community to maintain roads, ensure that our water flows, and fund other municipal services.
A wide spectrum of local leaders has endorsed his candidacy, and for good reason. Tim’s long experience in town and village affairs enhances his expertise in the issues affecting upstate communities. He is a clear communicator, as his weekly letters to this paper demonstrate. He is analytical in his approach and thoughtful in his execution. He wants to consolidate our two municipalities into the one community it really is, saving money and facilitating input from more stakeholders about matters of common interest.
The Republican Party is morally bankrupt. The masked agents of Trump’s personal militia, a.k.a. ICE, rappel down Chicago apartment buildings, invading homes in violation of the Fourth Amendment, zip-tying entire families – even crying, naked children – and caging them in unlit vans pending “processing.”
Our navy kills alleged drug runners in the Caribbean without any regard for international law, let alone American due process, let alone any real evidence of guilt. The secretary of Health and Human Services undermines sound public health policy and decimates the science-based medical research that once made the United States a beacon among nations.
Whatever your reasons, if you’re on the Republican Line B, you’ve caved to the darkest, bleakest impulses in our society. As voters, we must confront this.
Vote for Democrat Tim Rogers, Line A, this November 4.
William Weinstein
New Paltz
Need some good news?
If you want to get things done, talk to a busy person. Adrienne Gelfand-Perine is that person. She has done so much around Shawangunk that she is running out of things to do. Now she has set her eyes on the county.
If you live in Legislative District 13 you can vote for her. Roads will become smoother, there will be more bus service, and she will make sure the hungry get fed. There will be more news from the county legislature and Adrienne will be behind much of it.
Our federal government is working hard to close and we need our local governments to reduce the impact of their disasters. Vote for Adrienne Gelfand-Perine if you need some good news.
Hal Chorny
Gardiner
Sayonara, New Paltz
After 23 years in New Paltz I voted early — with my feet. New Paltz has failed my cost/benefit analysis. Sadly, elected Dems don’t produce results. County legislator, Megan Sperry has been invisible in the town. Village legislator Limina Harmon is clueless.
The village mayor’s dissolution plan failed, so now he’s for consolidation. He’s also the Democrat on the ballot for town supervisor while sending developers to the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (which Sperry’s legislature oversees) for tax breaks. Four of seven 2025 county IDA projects are in New Paltz village. Three were approved by the village planning board, making them eligible.
A county IDA Pilot — Payment in Lieu of Taxes — allows a developer to pay zero property, mortgage or sales tax for 15 years. Sensible people oppose Pilots which cannot be reversed by the town.
Where are the high-paying jobs in town to support market-rate rents developers will charge? At a recent IDA public hearing for a village project, local taxpayers screamed in opposition. Days later, the village board passed resolution #53 opposing a Pilot but establishing a community host agreement, another type of pay-to-play tax break.
Now the mayor stated an intention to sue the town over the town board’s refusal to annex 60-plus acres to the village so big-shot attorney Mike Moriello can develop 600 dorm rooms on property with known arsenic contamination. Moriello will team up with the village and pay for that lawsuit which, the candidate-mayor has declared a month before the election.
They may get away with it. There is a Democrat running for town supervisor on the Republican line — a real chance to elect a candidate with no smelly conflict of interest. I would vote Row B. That’s my take. Goodbye and good luck.
Jane Freiman Schanberg
New Paltz
Warning their targets
Steve Romine’s ugly assertion that Israel allowed the brutal butchering of its own so it would have a justification to attack Gaza shows how low this antisemite will stoop. The “moral arc of the universe” definition does not lie with this letter by Steve Romine.
An excellent New York Times opinion piece by Brett Stephens (July 23, 2025) asks: “If the Israeli government’s intentions and actions are truly genocidal … why hasn’t it been more methodical and vastly more deadly?” Stephens continues to document why Israel is not systematically responsible for genocide. After all, would a country focused on genocide warn its targets to leave the war zone? Which Israel has consistently done!
In contrast, Mr. Romine, why don’t you cite what Hamas has done, e.g., embed itself and weapons among its fellow Palestinians so that they can advertise through their compromised health ministry the number of deaths of children and women and blame it all on Israel?
Also, what do Gazan Palestinians mean by their motto: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” if not the extermination of Israel?
Susan Puretz
Saugerties
When I awoke, dear
A few questions and proposed answers for MAGAs:
What’s the opposite of ‘woke’?
Unaware? Unconcerned? Asleep?
How about DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)?
Uniformity, Inequality and Exclusion?
What’s the opposite of anti-fascist?
That’s an easy one.
Matt Frisch
Arkville
Gobsmacked!
Here are some alternative headlines for last week’s edition of “HV1’s Excellent Headline Misadventures.”
Village Sues Town!
Developer Pays Village to sue Town!
Mayor Rogers Sues People He Hopes Will Vote for Him!
Does “Annexation Rejection Denounced by New Paltz Village Board” really capture the gobsmacking precedent of the mayor suing the town?
Isn’t HV1 interested in finding out if a developer has ever paid a village to sue its town before? How about asking why the village doesn’t stay out of it and tell the developer to file the standard Article 78?
So … why? Why does the village want to be the plaintiff? Asking for a couple of thousand friends.
Vote for Amanda Gotto for supervisor.
Kitty Brown
New Paltz
Make-believe bubble
Once we struggle for the meaning in Neil Jarmel’s initial poetic comments last week which left 99 percent of readers in a state of head-scratching confusion, he finally made it clear that he was attacking another conservative, Charlie Kirk.
Fortunately for us, and knowing the reality, Neil describes a delusional make-believe depiction of Kirk in his own mental bubble that has nothing to do with who Kirk was and what he was all about.
Kirk’s approach to non-violent dialog was evident. He encouraged people to state and defend their views, but with an open mind to listen to contrasting views as well. Everyone was heard and no one was cancelled. These communication techniques are obviously foreign to Neil. The only positions Neil knows and believes in are his own.
Before Kirk’s assignation, I had no idea of his solid Christian and family beliefs, and how he cited the importance of these positive values when addressing his audiences, especially the young. These characteristics apparently mean very little, if anything, to Neil since he “forgot” to acknowledge any of them.
At least, two weeks ago Eric Glass and Will Nixon tried to give examples of their severe disdain for Kirk, albeit they were distorted and taken out of context, with some even debunked. Neil’s anti-Kirk tirade gives absolutely no fact-based examples of his generalized gobbledygook. This is certainly no surprise to most of us based upon Neil’s TDS approach to his countless epistles against our “fascist” and “Nazi” leader while, again, conveniently forgetting to acknowledge any positive achievements of Trump. This, obviously, is the calling card of a close-minded lefty.
John N. Butz
Modena
I favor longer letters
I believe people appreciate the letters. For the last decade, I have received countless comments in favor of detailed letters I submit versus retail sound bites lacking substance.
I think you should let people, including my opponents, write more than 300 words, just as we have been doing for the last ten-plus years.
Tim Rogers
Village mayor, New Paltz
His (my) seventh term
Incumbent Richard Husted is running unopposed for his seventh term as Town of Woodstock judge, having served for 27 years. Previously, he served two terms as an Ulster County legislator representing Woodstock, Shandaken, Denning and Hardenburgh.
He has also been past president and treasurer of the Ulster County Magistrates Association, chairman of the Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals, and vice-president of Woodstock rescue squad company #5. He is a retired union ironworker. –
Richard Husted
Woodstock
Share God’s love
Every third Sunday, at 9:30 a.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church at 90 Route 32 invites you to a multi-sensory worship led by the Jam Band. Expect vocals, piano, guitar, and bass from the talented Andie Carroll, Billy Gagnon, and pastor Tobias Anderson. Both recent SUNY Plattsburgh graduates, Andie and Billy now live and make music together, always finding a stage at Redeemer.
Pastor Tobias has always been a musician (primarily singing), and began composing music in 2000 after a near-death experience. He is now on a mission “to share God’s love through music.” The combination of talent melds for an enjoyable mini-concert that is sure to uplift you. Their next performance is on October 19th at 9:30 a.m.
Cole Roberts
New Paltz
Randall’s a realist
I am writing to show my support for Randall Leverette for the New Paltz town board. Randall is already a seated member, generously filling in for Julie Seyfert-Lillis, who resigned earlier this year. He is now running to retain this seat, which he absolutely deserves.
Randall has been selflessly serving our community for decades. I met Randall while serving on the New Paltz school board of Education from 2017 to 2023. Randall and I worked together on the district’s audit committee, and still do! It’s important work, dealing with the district’s finances and taxpayer interests.
When I was new to all of these responsibilities, Randall was there to lend a helping hand and be a mentor to me. His years of community service – for the school district, the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, the town board, Woodland Pond, New Paltz’s Police Reform Committee (the list is endless) — have not gone unnoticed. He’s done more for New Paltz and Ulster County than anyone I know.
Randall is so knowledgeable on many important issues facing our community, and has the correct political mind for finance, which is so needed in government these days. I’ve watched him juggle and manage the numbers at the school district, and we desperately need a representative who “gets it” should the New Paltz town and village merge in the future.
Above all else, Randall is a realist. He understands the importance of diversity, inclusion, competence and transparency in government. These are core tenets that are important to me when selecting a candidate, no matter which party you align with. Please join me in supporting Randall Leverette for New Paltz town board this November.
Teresa Thompson
New Paltz/Gardiner
Senior connections
Community Connections, a senior forum held recently and sponsored by the Ulster County chapter of the state senior action council, was a success.
Thanks to our great speakers, Greg Olson of the state Office For the Aging, Dr. Roufia Payman, Vivi Hlazsa, Stephen Weir and Donna Lamerson. Thanks to Dorene Whitaker and her staff at the Rosendale Recreation Center. Thanks to Tilda’s Kitchen, Adams Fairacre Farms, Home Place Deli and the members of the Rondout Valley Lions Club who set up and put back tables and chairs for over 75 people. Our speakers focused on the importance of seniors staying healthy, staying informed, and staying connected. Statewide Senior Action Council is 52 years old, and our Ulster County chapter meets monthly in Kingston.
Martha Steuding
Olivebridge
Offensive expression
A young man wearing a T-shirt with “I DOUBLE DARE YOU M*THERF**” on it was the cover photo on the October 1st edition for the article about the 68th library fair in New Paltz. During a time when we need to do better, surely the display of an offensive expression in a community-minded newspaper somehow either slipped through unnoticed, or our society has reached a time when decorum no longer matters.
It wasn’t the T-shirt expression itself as much as the apparent acceptance that words that were, at one time considered offensive and unacceptable are now heard and seen without any consideration. The consequence of how we behave without thought or empathy is disheartening.
Barbara Poppo
Zena
Join the family! 
