The views and opinions expressed in our letters section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hudson Valley One. You can submit a letter to the editor here.
Stand firm
My socks don’t match but my feet do.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Talk vs. deeds
We are told that a lot of the infrastructure bill working its way through the python in DC is climate protection. Horsefeathers, as one earlier presidential hopeful liked to say. Hell, I actually believe in our earth going through repeat cycles of Ice Ages, (that is plural), and crazier still, despite a 400% increase in the earth’s population since my dad was born in 1918, these massive changes in the earth’s climate are continuing.
As for man’s contribution? Tiny! And based on how much people are travelling, we are not serious at all about that “existential” poppycock!
Paul Nathe
New Paltz
How about a little perspective?
Firstly, I am neither pro nor against Governor Cuomo. I happen to like balance and perspective in appraising someone’s guilt or innocence.
I wish to remind all New Yorkers of the herculean, dedicated job Governor Cuomo did to sail us through the worst disease/pandemic we had known in many decades. Leading us daily with right information as to what we must do, be aware of, providing strength, clarity and heaven forbid, he even threw in love from time to time.
He was a breath of fresh air over the haphazard, schizophrenic, juvenile, strange “solutions” offered by our former President Trump. Cuomo did a job as no other governor did during that awful year. I wrote thanking him. I hope others did.
I find Cuomo’s so called “horrid” sexual misdemeanors picayune compared to those of former President Trump. Where were the “witch hunters” when his offenses surfaced? Calls for resignation? For impeachment? They did, not for his excessive sexual affronts, but for trying to get “dirt” on an opponent.
Need I remind a public that has a short-term memory of the excessive liaisons made by former presidents Kennedy and Clinton? Children learned of oral sex, we learned of the presidents’ sex addictions, sex in the Oval Office, leaving the White House at night minus security for their liaisons. Where were the cries for resignation? Impeachment?
Does anyone reflect any more great truths espoused by great spiritual leaders? One who asked, “If any of you are without sin, then let them cast the first stone.”
Joyce Benedict
Hyde Park
Wouldn’t it be nice?
In his letter “Not a fan of HV1,” Meyer Rothberg informed readers that he was not renewing his HV1 subscription because he didn’t like the views and “misinformation” spread by certain letter-writers printed in the paper. Apparently, it is only the letters of writers like John Habersberger and “right-wing” George Civile that Meyer considers to have “unchecked” misinformation and “vituperations.” (I guess Meyer thinks Neil Jarmel’s weekly rants pass muster in regard to moderation and truthfulness.) Meyer also criticized my characterization of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline as “obvious” saying no evidence was given to support that claim. Forgive me, Mr. Rothberg, I forgot that you, probably, only watch media outlets that support Joe Biden and don’t show any of the video that would expose the “obvious” nature of his failed policies and cognitive decline.
I wonder if Meyer is aware that POTUS Biden recently claimed that he “used to drive” a massive 18-wheeler truck, which requires a special license? Since he never had such a license, should voters characterize Biden’s claim as merely another of his many lies or as evidence of cognitive decline? I also wonder if Mr. Rothberg is aware that for the past ten weeks, all of the major non-Fox network’s Sunday morning weekly shows have failed to feature a story on the crisis at the border, despite the fact that record numbers of foreigners are seeking entrance into the USA. (In June, the number was over 187,000 – including 19,000 unaccompanied children – and, in July, 210,000 more arrived at our southern border.) Mr. Rothberg asked the question, “Will HV1 print anything that readers send in?” The answer is, obviously, “yes,” since the paper printed Meyer’s “unchecked” left-wing, anti-Trumpian letter, which made vituperative charges against two writers – who don’t share his views – without providing any evidence to support them. It should be noted: Fascists will advocate censoring information they don’t like by proclaiming it is “misinformation” and justify such censorship by asserting it is for the “greater good.”
Here’s a parody of the Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” inspired by both the present, clearly dangerous and “press-protected” Biden/Harris administration and the bias of Mr. Meyer Rothberg. For best results, it should be sung with ebullient joy.
(Opening verse)
Wouldn’t it be nice if old Joe Biden
Simply packed his bags and went away?
And wouldn’t it be nice if no one asked him
If there’s something more he’d like to say?
(Chorus)
Just to think about it makes me so glad
‘Cos Joe’s a POTUS who is really so bad
(Verse)
Wouldn’t it be nice if Dems would wake up
And realize they made a big mistake?
They chose a woman as their Party’s VP
Who’s really not so smart and such a fake
(Chorus)
Their party’s happy days sure didn’t last long
“Happy days are gone” should be their new song
Oh, wouldn’t it be nice
(Bridge)
Seems that we won’t have to wish, hope and pray that it
Will come true (run, run oooh)
Surely soon everyone will become aware of the things they do
They will be harried (they’ll be so harried)
And then we’ll be happy (and then we’ll be happy)
Oh, wouldn’t it be nice
(Verse)
Wouldn’t it be nice if Meyer Rothberg
Wasn’t so afraid of other views?
Maybe then he’d be more open-minded
And even watch some programs on Fox News
(Chorus sung in a slower tempo)
You know it seems the more we think about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But let’s think about it
‘Cos wouldn’t it be nice!
(Closing refrain)
Bye, bye, oh, Biden
So long, oh Harris
Don’t leave, Mr. Rothberg
Wouldn’t it be nice!
George Civile
Gardiner
One on one
If Sparrow’s bank account only contains words, he’ll never be overdrawn.
Steve Massardo
Saugerties
Deputy mayor of New Paltz noncollaborative
I have lived in the New Paltz community for 30 years, attending SUNY New Paltz, owning a small business, raising a family and contributing to and supporting the schools, activities and residents. I have always considered New Paltz to be a friendly village where problems are solved by collaboration between residents, local government and supporting entities. This is not true of the proposed Good Cause Eviction Law, written and presented by deputy mayor Alexandria Wojcik.
Deputy mayor Wojcik has been a divisive force between landlords and tenants in our community for several years. Instead of bringing the two groups together in harmony, she only strives to create turmoil and animosity among them. This is not the New Paltz I know.
Ms. Wojcik has been a tenant in the Village of New Paltz for many years, and during her tenure, her lease has been non-renewed a total of 12 times. I am sure one can justify having an unsatisfactory landlord once or twice, but 12 times? That doesn’t sound like a landlord problem; it sounds like a tenant problem. A bad tenant problem. How can someone govern effectively or participate in economic development with this very large blemish on their record?
Regardless of Ms. Wojcik’s vast issues in her own personal housing situations, the Good Cause Eviction Law is ill-timed and unnecessary. When asked for information on the number of evictions in New Paltz within the past five years and other pertinent information which would be necessary to create this law, Ms. Wojcik’s responses have been, “I’ll have to circle back to you on that” or “I don’t know.” How does an elected official create legislation without vital data such as this? It’s absolutely criminal to even think of proposing a law without clear and concise fact-gathering, including acquiring information from both sides of the equation: tenants and landlords. A survey was sent out to the tenant group, while the landlord group received no information, survey, questionnaire or other form of inquiry.
I would like to see a congenial and productive relationship between both the tenant and landlord groups in our community – one that is fruitful for all. The constant animosity that Deputy Mayor Wojcik creates is egregious and unbecoming of an elected official, any elected official. Please do better for yourself and your community, Alex.
M. Teresa Thompson
New Paltz
15 miles of Village sewer pipes
We have submitted this year’s grant application to the Community Development Block Grant program to continue addressing inflow and infiltration (I & I) problems caused by our sewer infrastructure that dates back to the late 1800s.
We hope members of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council will agree that our application is extraordinarily important for our community and economy. They are responsible for up to 20 percent of scoring on applications. We always score well on the technical portion of these applications that represent 80 percent.
We are trying to eliminate raw sewage overflows that can occur during heavy rains at Water Street, Prospect Street, Mulberry Street, Broadhead Avenue and Huguenot Street.
This July 2021 application for $918,750 is seeking funds to update sections along four of the Village’s streets:
1) Huguenot Street
2) Tricor Avenue
3) Colonial Drive
4) North Chestnut Street
In May 2021, the Village was awarded $808,875 in grant funds to update sewer infrastructure for these streets:
1) Lincoln Place
2) Orchard Lane
3) Overlook Avenue
4) Elting Avenue (near Innis Avenue)
5) Mohonk Avenue
6) South Chestnut Street (NYS Route 208)
In December 2018, the Village was awarded $750,000 to update sewer infrastructure for seven Village streets:
1) North Manheim (from John Street to H. W. DuBois)
2) North Oakwood Terrace (from John Street to H. W. DuBois)
3) Grove Street (from John Street to Prospect Street)
4) Prospect Street
5) South Chestnut Street (from Main Street to Southside Avenue)
6) Mulberry Street
7) Hasbrouck Avenue
Fixing I & I is the most effective way to manage and protect our conveyance system and the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s 1.5 million-gallon-per-day permitted capacity.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
We are the caring society!
This last article about caring is focused on helping us shift our old habits away from self-centeredness and toward compassion and community. We were all born with the caring gene. It now appears to be the perfect time for us in this society to wake up those dormant caring genes. It’s crucial that we become more aware about our need to express more caring to each other, our neighborhoods, our country and our very special planet. We are completely capable of doing this, and there has never been a more important time to make the decision and act. It just takes practice. Instead of any resistance you may have toward letting people know that you care, how about you make the choice to become a freedom fighter for this culture shift? Your help is essential.
On another level, we need to understand that we have a moral obligation to our grandchildren and their grandchildren. Unfortunately, we were raised watching too many self-centered leaders who were totally focused on their own accumulation of wealth and power at any expense. Although many people have been seduced by those kinds of leaders, and although they may have accumulated money in the bank, still, most of them were morally bankrupt. Those who are morally bankrupt don’t consider much about tomorrow’s children and our future generations of Americans. But we all need to do that right now!
I know many of us have had moments, months or even years of acting with a lack of morality for personal gain. But now’s your chance to transcend any guilt and shame that may still remain in your heart from those regressions. You now have the opportunity to forgive yourself for everything in the past that you still feel lousy about. You know what I mean? Well, today’s a new day, and if you join me and others in helping to bring more caring into our lives, our families and neighborhoods, then you can seize this opportunity to finally get out of your self-centered, self-imposed jail. Don’t remain haunted by the past anymore. It’s time to get sober and reclaim and fully embrace your life. Freedom is just a shift of perception. The drunk was sadly seen holding tightly onto the bars outside a prison while he was looking in and yelling, “Let me out!”
We do have some wonderful leaders in the world, who are doing their best to guide us. We just need to slow down a little to hear what they have to say. The Dalai Lama has consistently encouraged people to focus on the qualities of compassion, humility and gratitude. He strongly believes that our world would be very different if leaders from a majority of countries would do this. Over the last few years, I have personally taken on that challenge and embraced those qualities. And now, having made the shift for the most part, I believe my mind, my heart and my belly are more at peace than ever before. That peace is waiting for you, too, if you are willing to take the challenge.
In closing, I can truly envision our country gradually shifting toward being more focused on caring about each other. I also believe that we will be a healthier society when we make that shift. Remember, the difference between illness and wellness is “I” and “we.” Which one ya gonna choose?
Marty Klein
Woodstock
McCarthy makes a mockery
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has chosen his five GOP appointees; three out of McCarthy’s five expected selections for the Republican side of the select panel to investigate the January 6 insurrection voted in favor of challenges to certification of Biden’s victory. Two of those Republicans, representatives Jim Banks (Indiana) and Jim Jordan (Ohio), had particularly close ties to ex-President Trump. Neither were fit to sit in judgement on a committee that might deem some of Trump’s actions, or those of his advisors or subordinates, as criminal.
Everyone knows Kevin McCarthy made his selections for the select Capitol riot investigation committee to obstruct the inquiry. What this really means is, “Donald Trump had made his selections for the January 6 committee.” We are all aware that McCarthy doesn’t wipe until Trump gives him permission. McCarthy and those he chose have the whole rotten mess around their necks and follow Trump with the “big fat lie” (so-called election fraud) to the pit! McCarthy has no scruples, ethics or morality. Pathetic glob of protoplasm, and that is really being too kind to him.
McCarthy appointed the two Jims knowing full well speaker Nancy Pelosi would veto them. He never intended to have a bipartisanship committee. His only goal was to try and seat toxic mealymouthed people, with the goal being to obstruct the committee and mess with the results. Pelosi had every right in refusing to accept their shenanigans. Maybe sabotage is a more appropriate word than obstruct. McCarthy then pulled the remaining three accepted Republicans, thus taking away any aspect of bipartisanship.
Unfortunately for GOP leadership, two House Republicans, Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney, found the courage to follow their Constitutional oath and agreed to truly help investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol with the Democrats, while the rest of their colleagues sought ways to penalize them – again, this says it all. Sad, so much bullying.
The majority of us are not that dumb, but the thing is, too many people still are. Many Republicans are so deep in the inner seditionist circle from the beginning; plus, the stain of corruption will never be lifted from Trump. The only thing McCarthy’s GOP can do now is scream (disingenuously) about the process, so that’s what they’ll continue to do, at full volume like always. I think they’re actually relieved to get back to being the party of opposition. So much easier to create diversions and throw tantrums than to actually stand and lead.
This is some f#@ked-up party, isn’t it? This just may be the Greatest Clown Show on Earth – a disgrace and now, America’s shame! The GOP has been taken over by people who in effect said, “Get on the team or shut up.” Plus, anything that gets in the way of that must be destroyed, because they merely serve that one interest, which we call Trumpism.
I’d love to see all these Trumpian clowns – and Trump himself – subpoenaed and completely and/or permanently tossed into the waste bin of history. Of course, the purpose of that committee is not to “shove it down the GOP’s throat” but to bring justice to the perpetrators, expose those who planned and directed the attack against our country and put the criminals behind bars for a long time. It goes beyond politics.
In summary: “That which can be destroyed by the truth should be.” Most of the Republican Party have lost their damn minds. The remaining few have lost their voices. With each passing day, they just seem to slip just that much further down the rabbit hole of authoritarian fascism. McCarthy is a complete failure as a leader; he has no credibility and cannot think beyond his own immature selfish idea of what might promote him. The insurrection, a national disgrace, has Trump’s and the Republican Party’s fingerprints all over it!
It’s hard to believe that there are actually Americans who attempt to defend and excuse the actions of that day in January. Republicans twist themselves in knots of illogic to argue against the January 6 insurrection; there apparently is no intelligent life left in their ranks. Unfortunately, no matter what the Democrats do, they’re screwed, as half the country refuses to believe in reality. Anybody who isn’t down on and/or angry with the moral obscenity of the current GOP “thinking” earns the label of the enemy. Again, shame on them for what they’ve done to our country.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
Risk Avoidance
With all this talk about the dangers of vaccines, including death, I decided to do a little research. I found that studies have been done in both the US and Japan indicating a surprising number of people die while bathing. In the US, it is estimated over 300 people die each year in the tub. Clearly this is a dangerous activity, so, even though it may inconvenience my family, friends and neighbors, I will be taking steps to reduce my exposure to this risk. Because, you know, it’s all about me.
Furthermore, I discovered that about 450 people die annually from falling out of bed. Until I can figure out a way to avoid going to sleep every night, I guess I’ll just continue to wear a mask.
Phil Bishop
New Paltz
I support Ben and Jerry’s action!
The fracas over the pullout from Israeli settlements in the West Bank by Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is still on my mind, as I find myself enjoying Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy ice cream. As I lick my spoon, I, however, find it difficult to comprehend why the loss of commercial ice cream should be such a big deal. Isn’t it fun to make homemade ice cream? And wouldn’t that be a great activity for the children in the settlements? Forget brands! Make your own. I’m going to heed my very words and make ice cream with my grandchildren!
Meanwhile, I find it difficult to comprehend why the pullout of ice cream should constitute such a terrible offense compared to the pulling up of 1,000-year-old olive trees in the occupied West Bank to make room for those settlements, for privileged roads for those settlers to and from their settlements on stolen land. More than 100,000 Palestinian olive trees had been uprooted by Israeli authorities and settlers since 1967. Palestinian farmers and their families, along with international friends who help safeguard the olive-pickers, have been violently threatened and harmed by settlers. Why do they do this? Olive oil constitutes a major source of vital nourishing food – so I would like to see those who criticize the pullout of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream from the Israeli settlements also strongly criticize the pulling up of the olive trees that Palestinians have always depended on for their health and essential well-being!
I think it takes years for a newly planted olive tree to bear fruit (and only a few hours to make homemade ice cream), and so I’ll never be able to share with my grandchildren and carry on that age-old tradition – that vital link with the Earth – of indigenous people. Pity! That’s a real loss to shout out about. I support Ben and Jerry’s action!
Jane Toby
Catskill
Short Term Rental law
We want to reiterate criticism of the Short Term Rental [STR] law. One aspect is the “cap” that limits the number of permits allowed. It is both harmful to some homeowners and is based on no science-based evidence. The Woodstock town government should heed the ” … promises President Joe Biden made earlier this year. After he was inaugurated, the administration posted a lengthy memo … In the memo, Biden announced that his administration would make ‘evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data.’” [Quoted from The Intercept 8/8/2021.]
The draconian STR law results in some homeowners losing tens of thousands of dollars each year. Ironically, those lucky ones awarded a permit receive more demand and can charge higher rates due to the limitation on supply. There has been zero evidence shown of any measurable benefit by having that restrictive cap.
The other outrageous feature of the law is the way the limit of one STR per homeowner is enforced. Since two of our properties are jointly owned by us as husband and wife, we can rent only one of those two.
We will be collecting evidence regarding the enforcement of the law and the harm it causes. Our goal is to effect changes to the law to make it less inequitable, whether by political persuasion or legal action. We also wish to keep anyone interested informed of progress in this endeavor. If you have information you’d like to share, or would like to be on our email list, please write us at chloedresser@gmail.com.
We both worked hard and saved for decades — planning for retirement from real estate income we thought would be safe and stable. Now, just a short time after retiring, we were abruptly made “land poor.” This new law has deprived us of a major portion of our potential income, but the expense of nine homes is unabated.
Andrew Peck and Chloe Dresser
Woodstock
Woodstock swimming
My grandchildren have discovered the Rosendale Pool. It’s a lovely recreational facility that was built for the community. Why doesn’t Woodstock have one? Of course there is Big Deep, which we do enjoy. But there is something about a community organized recreational pool:
It’s better for swimming lessons.
It’s better for exercise classes.
It’s better for disabled persons.
It’s easier to keep track of toddlers.
It can be a good center for community events.
Yes, there is a bathtub at Andy Lee Field. But that tiny pool is only for the summer camp!
Why doesn’t Woodstock have the resources to create safe and visionary community recreational infrastructure? Arkville/Margaretville has a community pool. Even sparsely populated Olive has (granted a small) recreational pool.
With the new pandemic expansion of fleeing urbanites, there must be the funds to finally bring Woodstock into the 21st century.
Can our new Town Board overcome the stalemate problems that have hindered so many great ideas for Woodstock?
PS: And Rosendale did not let their movie theater languish for two years — the community gathered together to save their key entertainment venue.
DeeDee Halleck
Willow
Upcoming public hearing
As you know, we face a housing crisis today like never before; and it is only getting worse. Residential renter/tenants, constituting 73 percent of the Village of New Paltz, lack basic rights that protect them from any risk of unjustifiable evictions and will allow them to renew their expiring lease and to not be priced out of their homes. That’s why I’m working to pass a local law to amend Chapter 129 of the Village of New Paltz Code regarding housing to include Good Cause Eviction. I believe this local law is our community’s best chance to fight housing instability now.
My proposed local law will amend Article II of Chapter 129 Housing Standards to prohibit the collection of rents during any period of noncompliance with Article II of Chapter 129 Housing Standards, which refers to the Village of New Paltz’s Rental Registry law; it will also prohibit evictions from occurring during any period of noncompliance with the Rental Registry law, and further prohibit evictions from occurring during any period of noncompliance with or unresolved cases concerning any local and state housing laws. My proposed local law further adds a new article to Chapter 129 of New Paltz Code prohibiting evictions without good cause, giving tenants opportunities to renew their leases unless there is good cause not to, and establishing a road map for better communication between tenants and landlords to that end. The draft law is available on the Village website, or you can read it here: https://bit.ly/GoodCauseNPZ.
The public hearing for my draft proposed local law opens on August 11 at 7 p.m. during the regular Village Board meeting held at the Firehouse (25 Plattekill Avenue, New Paltz). Per usual practice with the Village of New Paltz Board of Trustees, we will be keeping the public hearing open for several meetings, so your input will be very much needed through at least the end of August when the current New York State moratorium on evictions will be eclipsing. Comments can be submitted to assistant@villageofnewpaltz.org or spoken in-person at the meeting (or you can do both). Zoom is an option too; for that link, please head to villageofnewpaltz.org and click on the link at the top of the agenda posted there, or contact Ariana at assistant@villageofnewpaltz.org.
I put together some more information about my proposed law in easier-to-read bullet points here: https://bit.ly/GoodCauseNewPaltz.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts on my proposed local law and therefore taking action to stop housing stability in the Village of New Paltz and perhaps beyond!
Alex(andria) Wojcik, deputy mayor
Village of New Paltz
Don’t be like Nero
To all of the naysayers and doubters opining about CCA, please let me say:
1: CCA Stands for Community Choice Aggregation, where a town can get renewable energy at a lower price.
2: That price is set lower if everyone is automatically a part of it, and can opt out if they wish.
3: I am in no way affiliated with the energy sector.
4: I enjoy being part of a solar farm in Ellenville with Solstice.
5: My town of Gardiner is considering becoming part of CCA.
6: Do you believe that we are in a Climate Crisis?
7: If so, why would you not leap in joy at the opportunity of receiving low cost clean electric?
8: Do you remember Nero who is said to have fiddled while Rome burned?
9: Don’t be like Nero!
Tim Hunter
Gardiner
Ass backward
Let me start by saying no one should have an issue with the purpose of the proposed Comeau project. Our town office employees deserve a building that is safe, along with the physical conditions needed to perform their jobs. That being said, no matter what you thought of the proposed library project, the trustees went through a process that gave us taxpayers a choice of various designs for their proposed new building before discussing bonding for the project.
With the Comeau project, the only acceptance of the initially submitted designs were by the architects, McKenna and the Town Board. The Commission of Civic Design (CCD) had two design reviews with Walker Architects. The first review (6/10/19) was when the CCD brought up, among other issues, that the design did not complement the Comeau building. The second review (9/23/19) showed some changes in the design, but the submitted overall plan and form remained similar to the original, which resulted in the CCD requesting “future design reviews because there remain serious design issues.” To date there have been no additional reviews.
Unlike the library trustees’ process, McKenna and the Town Board passed a resolution for a bond issue and then, according to Hudson Valley One, “The board will discuss plans to make the public aware of the project and the upcoming vote, including possible meetings” at the town firehouses with the model on display. My question is this: Why have these meetings if the CCD, as well as numerous other concerned taxpayers who viewed the project, cannot make McKenna, the Town Board and Walker aware of the need to correct the proposed design flaws? What good will they do? Is this just another political ploy, a dog-and-pony show?
As far as the bonding, there is no doubt it will pass, hopefully for a building that will complement our Comeau building, because just about everyone in town wants our employees to be safe and comfortable.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
This letter comes with a health warning…
…as should some recent letters in this paper. My warning is that readers should give no credence to the COVID-19 pseudoscience presented in previous letters, which has no reliable factual basis. As is often the case, supposed evidence referenced in these letters (one example of which comes from an author who uses a medical pseudonym) is invented or distorted to support the use of dangerous therapies that have not been adequately tested.
Ivermectin has not been shown to be an effective COVID-19 treatment, even in one of only a few reliable trials, which used a dose way higher than its approved safety level (this would amount to taking 20 three-milligram tablets at a time, rather than the three milligrams required for anti-helminth treatment). The most reliable treatment uses monoclonal antibodies, and the most reliable data probably come from clinical studies in the UK (one of the few areas where the UK has done things well). If you need treatment for COVID-19, you should “Ask your doctor if [monoclonals] are right for you,” to paraphrase the industry’s catchphrase. I could cite articles in respected medical journals and other reliable data analyses that contradict what I have read in HV1, but I will cite only the CDC, which, for all its serious misjudgments in 2020, gives accurate and detailed information at www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antiviral-therapy/ivermectin.
I am no shill for the pharmaceutical industry, nor for the so-called medical care industry unique to the USA, but I am qualified to judge scientific data concerning infectious diseases, which these letter-writers, and the supposed experts and anti-vaccine organizations (masquerading as “safe vaccine proponents”) they cite, are not.
Regarding other issues raised by our Hudson Valley correspondents, the evidence is clear that proper masks properly used are very effective in reducing individual risk and community spread of COVID-19. It is also evident that the precautions imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have also led to an astonishingly low incidence of seasonal influenza in several countries. Yes, estimates of when we might achieve the elusive concept of herd immunity, which has never been invoked for such a contagious disease, had to change as the incidence increased exponentially and more infectious variants emerged. Dr. Fauci was quoted as saying, recently, that “Herd immunity is no longer a goal.” I think he might have preferred to say that herd immunity is no longer something we can contemplate.
Readers should be very clear that vaccines are the only way to contain this pandemic. One letter-writer clearly does not understand the complex Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS). Over one billion doses of different vaccines have been safely administered. The RNA-based vaccines are amazingly effective. The very existence of Antibody-Enhanced Disease is still disputed, even in the case of dengue, which is the only viral infection for which it has been seriously invoked. As one of your authors accurately states, “The medical world is still evaluating…the potential for developing ADE after vaccination.” That is the way good science works: by regularly evaluating new data.
Reliable estimates suggest that ten million people have already died from COVID-19, and an enormous amount of data show that deaths among COVID-infected vaccinated people are extremely low. Did I really say COVID-infected vaccinated people? Of course! No vaccine is 100 percent effective, and we have not faced a pandemic disease as transmissible as this one since 1918 (my grandfather and one of his brothers died in the second wave of that influenza pandemic).
The good news is that a large majority of our older neighbors in Ulster County have been vaccinated. Regrettably, that is not true for the wider USA, and the consequences are becoming very clear. In the UK, the vaccine rate for the over-65 age group is close to 90 percent. In my workplace, the voluntary vaccination rate among all (~2,200) employees is over 90 percent. I’d like to attribute that to its mission statement “Science for the benefit of humanity,” and for its significant contributions to understand and develop treatments for COVID-19.
The bottom line is: Get vaccinated. If you don’t, you or one of your loved ones might die. This should not be an issue of individual rights; it’s a community responsibility.
George Cross
Woodstock
The new Ashokan Reservoir bridge
On July 28, a few people met with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at the SUNY Ulster campus to discuss some aspects of the coming extensive renovation of the New York City water system. It will cost in excess of $1 billion and take several years. One of the large projects will be the building of a new bridge across the Reservoir to remove traffic from the old bridge over the weir, which is deteriorating. You may remember the repairs that happened a few years ago that resulted in serious disruption of traffic for about two years. If you use it often, you know that there is a lot more than motor traffic, i.e., pedestrians and cyclists, as well as wildlife on Reservoir Road.
The public who cares about that area have the opportunity to give input on what should happen to that area. Please send feedback/suggestions to DEP soon. Some of the items that came up on the 28th were:
1. How to separate the four main kinds of “traffic” (motor vehicles, cyclists, walkers and those who wish to sit and enjoy the scenery) for safety and enjoyment.
2. Keeping the architectural style “coherent” with what is there now and the nature setting.
3. Keeping nighttime safety lighting to an absolute minimum to protect the dark-sky setting for enjoying the beauty and to protect this beauty for those living in the area.
4. Doing their best to keep two lanes of motor traffic open at all times, especially during non-construction times.
5. Enhancing the parking situation in both the “frying pan” area and the north side of the Reservoir off of Reservoir Road and strongly restricting the “side of the road” parking possibilities, perhaps with guardrails.
6. The need for wildlife corridors across Reservoir Road, not just to avoid car/deer “interactions” but to protect smaller creatures from becoming roadkill.
Please add your ideas and let’s help the DEP engineers do a good job with the “amenities” that will make this project a real gift to those who use it for convenience and pleasure.
Jac Conaway
Olivebridge
Thank you, our mayor
Your “Property covenants in the PIT?” letter (HV1, August 4) is very informative and I thank you for it. The description and analysis of the covenants is significant: I hope I understand all the legalese correctly. If so, the likelihood of anyone erecting a “hotel and business park” on that property seems to be quashed! That is a very happy thought!
Misha Harnick
New Paltz
There is no cause for the so-called “Good Cause” Eviction law
The proposed Good Cause Eviction law in New Paltz is flawed. The law’s justification uses political talking points and does not offer any supporting evidence. Our country has been suffering from an epidemic of disinformation and unsubstantiated “facts” for self-serving purposes. We in New Paltz can do better than this.
This law claims “many tenants are being evicted for unjustifiable reasons.” All evictions must go through our judicial system and owners are required to show good cause in a court of law. The proposal contains no evidence for the claim that “many landlords fail to comply with the Village Rental Registry law” or that there are “….defacto evictions via non renewal.” so owners can rent to “higher income tenants”.
A lease is an agreement between a landlord and a tenant which both parties knowingly agree to when they sign — the rental amount and the length of time are the two essential terms. New York law supports this principle and both parties benefit. The proposed new law changes this relationship since it makes any lease a potential lifetime contract.
I understand that there are some property owners who do not act in good faith, but if we want to be honest, there are also some tenants who actively manipulate the system to their own advantage. The law is written as if all landlords are bad and all tenants are good. In my opinion, it is not right that a tenant can enter into a lease for one year and then stay there for the rest of their lives.
This law is not ready for the real world. New York State already has some of the strongest tenant protections in the country. What are the facts or evidence supporting the need for this law in New Paltz? Before enacting this one-sided law, let’s slow down and hear from both sides. Hopefully we can find real solutions to real problems. I suggest that there should be a study by the Village of New Paltz with both tenants and landlords participating to assess what actually makes sense and respects the rights of all people who are involved in these dynamic relationships.
Liz Elkin
New Paltz
BDS, apartheid and occupation revisited
Jo Salas falsely states that recent letters claim that “any criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic,” and she is disturbed by the “false and dangerous claim that BDS is anti-Semitic.” In fact, the BDS movement is indisputably anti-Semitic. The words and actions of BDS proponents themselves prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Those who wish to see the kinds of libels against Jews and Israel spewed by BDS anti-Semites have only to read Ricki Hollander’s Backgrounder: The Intrinsic Anti-Semitism of BDS” which can be found at www.camera.org. The recognition of the anti-Semitic spirit of the BDS movement has, moreover, spurred numerous resolutions, such as the following (cited by Hollander):
“In February 2016, Canada’s Parliament passed a motion ‘to condemn any and all attempts…to promote the BDS movement…,’ explaining that BDS ‘promotes the demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel.’”
“In May 2019, the German Parliament passed a resolution designating the BDS movement as anti-Semitic….”
“In October 2019, the lower chamber of the Czech Republic’s parliament adopted a resolution condemning the BDS movement….”
“In December 2019, Britain’s newly elected government announced plans to outlaw the BDS movement and boycott of Israel.”
“Also in December 2019, France’s National Assembly passed a resolution adopting the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of anti-Semitism that considers BDS’ anti-Zionism as a form of anti-Semitism.”
“In February 2020, the lower chamber of the Austrian parliament adopted a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and the BDS movement.”
These international condemnations of the BDS movement — in addition to the denunciation of BDS by the US House of Representatives and by multiple state legislatures — cannot easily be dismissed; they demonstrate that BDS has been carefully weighed in the balance and judged inherently anti-Semitic.
Paula Silbey claims to have witnessed Israel-imposed apartheid rules in the West Bank, but she does not give examples or specify what she means. The Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court defines apartheid as crimes against humanity — such as extermination, enslavement, deportation or forcible transfer of population, imprisonment, torture, sexual violence — “committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime.” It is incumbent on those who accuse Israel of apartheid to state exactly how this definition applies. Otherwise, the use of this term is simply another way of demonizing Israel.
Cheryl Qamar charges Israel with the “illegal occupation of Palestine,” among other crimes. It can be argued that, by a strict interpretation of international law, there has never been an Israeli occupation, but even if one allows that there is one, it is entirely legal. That is not a personal opinion; it is the position of the United Nations. Furthermore, since the Oslo Accords and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, almost all Palestinians live under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority or Hamas.
Rowan Dordick
Woodstock
The good Samaritan weekender
As a resident of the Village of Saugerties, I’ve come to dread the summer weekends when the out-of-towners inundate the streets and restaurants, making getting anywhere a nightmare. I remind myself how they are good for the businesses that line Partition and Main streets, but I still grit my teeth as it starts as early as Thursday when the horsey crowd has an event here.
However, I had to rethink this stance when I fell in front of my home and had a hard time trying to get up. A few people walked by seemingly not to see me, but then a couple approached me and asked if I needed help. The man was a fireman and very careful to assess me before trying to get me up. He asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. I declined and other than a brush-burned knee and strained wrist I was fine. He asked if I needed more help and then carried my laundry basket to the car. They had New Jersey plates on their truck.
My attitude about weekenders is forever changed.
Good Samaritans can come from New Jersey!
Diana Marie Weeks
Saugerties
Grab for power by the village
Today, many residential tenants in the Village of New Paltz fail to fulfill the obligations of their contractual lease for unjustifiable reasons.
Further, most landlords comply with every part of the Village of New Paltz rental registry law, as well as fulfill every aspect of their leases, following local, state and federal laws.
Property owners, who rent to 73% of the village population, provide their tenants with housing that is subjected to local registry and inspections annually and provide them with housing opportunities in light of our village government hindering new development. This legislation, as proposed, would remove the property owner’s right to enter into a negotiated mutually agreed upon contract with a binding termination date. To deny either party (property owner or tenant) this fundamental right is a violation of the most basic facet of contract law.
Politicians across our state and in our village are looking to take control over how property owners conduct their business with their private property in order to institute rent controls across the state and here in the village. The village is good at writing laws, such as having to seek permission to cut down trees or being told what garbage company you have to use, or proposing how tall your grass could be or to allowing leaf blowers. This is just another grab for power from a group of politically motivated individuals. And since NYS already has some of the most favorable laws in the country for tenants’ rights, one might ask, why this legislation?
This legislation will prevent tenants from having to abide by the contract that they entered into willfully by not having to honor the end date. Property owners will be forced to renew said contract unless they provide five months notice and the tenant consents, which the tenant could rescind. If they do not consent, the property owner must give them a new lease. One of the drivers behind this law is currently on the Village Board and has lived in 12 different places in the village, and none of the property owners wanted to renew the lease. Anyone question why that is? Is this a landlord problem or a tenant problem?
Reading Section 129-18 Grounds for Removal of Tenant tells you everything. Part A (2): “The tenant is violating a substantial obligation of their tenancy, other than the obligation to surrender possession.” Other than the obligation to surrender the property at the end of the contract seems pretty substantial, wouldn’t you agree? NYS law currently states that tenants be given 30 days notice if tenancy is less than one year, 60 days notice if tenancy in between one to two years and 90 days notice if tenancy is over two years of non-lease renewal, without consent.
As a member of the Landlord Tenant Relations Council for the past four years and a property owner in the village for the past 29 years, I know a lot of what transpires here in the village from both the tenant and landlord perspective. You have an education and communication problem, not a legislative one. One would think if the village did a better job of enforcing the current registration, inspection and compliance part of the law currently on the books, maybe some of the issues that have come to light could be resolved without new legislation. But that would make too much sense. I would be more than happy to address much of what I saw over those four years with anyone who would like to discuss.
Ed Burke
New Paltz
Misplaced outrage
Regarding the Mark Rosen letter in last week’s HV1 newspaper (8/4/21), one is left wondering what is the truth Mr. Rosen infers is missing in the letter to the editor that angered him? Did he do any research to see if the facts in my letter were false? And if he did, why did he not point out the alleged “mistruths” with the appropriate purported facts with references? Mr. Rosen provides no support for his mistruth allegations but instead resorts to rhetoric and ad-hominem tactics regarding the founder of Americas Frontline Doctors as though that somehow negates their whole lawsuit and whistleblower’s affidavit against the CDC. I do agree with Mr. Rosen though that the content of my previous letter is disturbing and rightly so, but not untrue, as a little research will reveal about the history of vaccines. Currently, we have been given an official narrative that does not hold up when brought into the light. To put things into proper context, in 2020, the CDC reported 345, 323 deaths due to COVID-19 pre-vaccine. Flu-related deaths in 2020/2021 mysteriously disappeared, while in the 2019/2020 flu season, the figure was approximately 50,000 deaths. Meanwhile, 598,323 died from cancer and 690,882 died from heart disease in 2020, placing COVID-19 as the third leading cause of death in the USA (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8030985/). Take into account a study in New York that shows the COVID infection/fatality rate of .5% when considering antibody development, demonstrating 50% of infected people had no symptoms at all (https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/amid-ongoing-covid-19-pandemic-governor-cuomo-announces-phase-ii-results-antibody-testing-study). Had the CDC promoted Ivermectin to be used prophylactically, or in any stage of symptom development of COVID-19, it could have possibly reduced those hospitalizations and deaths significantly as the many recent studies in my July 14 letter indicate, as well as a June 15, 2021 comprehensive evidence based peer-reviewed article (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8203399/).
Instead the CDC pushed expensive Remdesivir, at $520 a dose, using Emergency Use Authorization, even though it failed all of its clinical trials (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32423584/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32821939/).
Alternatively, the studies show Ivermectin effective, making the experimental vaccines with the associated risks unnecessary, especially considering that 99.5% of infected people survive without the vaccine. Inexpensive Ivermectin, costing about a dollar a day, could have possibly saved a significant portion of the unfortunate .5%, spared many hospitalizations and prevented the unnecessary multitude of vaccine injuries currently being reported on VAERS. This is the real outrage Mr. Rosen.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
Editor’s note: We all know that almost any point of view can be supported by information found on the web. Just a bit of searching also finds that on March 31, 2021, the World Health Organization “advises that ivermectin only be used to treat COVID-19 within clinical trials.” (https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-advises-that-ivermectin-only-be-used-to-treat-covid-19-within-clinical-trials). It says “The current evidence on the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is inconclusive. Until more data is available, WHO recommends that the drug only be used within clinical trials.”
The Cochrane Library says “Based on the current very low‐ to low‐certainty evidence, we are uncertain about the efficacy and safety of ivermectin used to treat or prevent COVID‐19. The completed studies are small and few are considered high quality. Several studies are underway that may produce clearer answers in review updates. Overall, the reliable evidence available does not support the use ivermectin for treatment or prevention of COVID‐19 outside of well‐designed randomized trials…” https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD015017.pub2/full
nature.com says “Ivermectin is a cheap, widely available, anti-parasitic drug that has been proposed by many as a possible treatment for COVID-19. Dozens of trials have been started, but results have been far from clear, with inconsistent results further confused by high profile paper retractions. Nonetheless many countries have recommended the use of Ivermectin, despite WHO advice to the contrary…Now a group of researchers have found suspect data in another influential paper which claimed a Ivermectin caused a 90% reduction in fatality. The paper, published at the end of 2020, has since been withdrawn pending investigation.” However, it also said this: “Ahmed Elgazzar at Benha University in Egypt, who is one of the authors on the paper, told Nature he was not given a chance to defend his work before it was removed.” (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02178-2) and (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02081-w.)
There is also ample conflicting information regarding the group America’s Frontline Doctors. They are defended above. The Daily Beast called them “A wacky pro-Trump medical group is back with a doomed and dishonest campaign — right in the middle of spiraling concerns over vaccine disinformation.”( https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-most-dangerous-and-deranged-claims-in-americas-frontline-doctors-motion-against-covid-vaccinations.) MedPage Today headlines its article “America’s Frontline Doctors’ Continue to Misinform on COVID…” (https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/90536)
In these days of multiple viewpoints and pandemic strife, it pays to gather much information and weigh your sources. Choose wisely, ignore stridency and stay on the safe side.
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