The views and opinions expressed in our letters section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hudson Valley One. You can submit a letter to the editor here.
Letter guidelines:
Hudson Valley One welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be fewer than 300 words and submitted by noon on Monday. Our policy is to print as many letters to the editor as possible. As with all print publications, available space is determined by ads sold. If there is insufficient space in a given issue, letters will be approved based on established content standards. Points of View will also run at our discretion.
Although Hudson Valley One does not specifically limit the number of letters a reader can submit per month, the publication of letters written by frequent correspondents may be delayed to make room for less-often-heard voices, but they will all appear on our website at hudsonvalleyone.com. All letters should be signed and include the author’s address and telephone number.
Supervisor McKenna is a disgrace to Woodstock
Newspaper articles have mentioned PFOS in drinking water, a hot topic and an important one.
Four years ago, Karolys dumped contaminated fill at 10 Church Road, Shady, Woodstock township. McKenna was informed by numerous professionals that the contaminants could reach the Sawkill and show up in the town water.
Other professionals informed McKenna about contaminants in the ground at 10 Dixon Avenue in Bearsville, Woodstock township. The groundwater from that property flows in direct line with the town wells, approximately 300 feet away.
Church Road and Dixon Avenue are both within the aquifer.
However, McKenna believes he is an expert. He stated the increase in the PFOS in the municipal water is no direct connection with 10 Church Road. “Any water that comes from the stream filters through several hundred yards of clean gravel and sand before it gets to our wells,” he said. “It’s just not a direct impact.”
How does he know this?
Interesting that our town water department states in the source water assessment summary, page 5 — ‘In addition, the wells draw from fractured bedrock and the overlying soils do not provide adequate protection from potential contamination.’
There was a resolution 179a-2020 (10/20/2020) the town board passed for professional testing of the soil fill and water on a quarterly basis for 10 Church Road and 59 Reynolds Lane. The testing hasn’t happened, it has been 3 ½ years!
How can the town have a resolution sit for all this time and not implement it?
McKenna claims the town couldn’t use taxpayer monies to help private property 59 Reynolds Lane, yet McKenna has already spent taxpayer monies to help 10 Church Road — the property in violation!
So, McKenna helps the violators, but not the ones being violated!
What did the violators do to earn this white glove treatment?
It seems to me McKenna is only “self” supervising!
Natalie Cyr
Woodstock
An oasis of digital literacy
In the quiet corners of the Elting Memorial Library, I discovered an unexpected bridge between the familiar whispers of printed pages and the digital dialect of zeros and ones — a language not native to my seasoned years. I am of the elder class, and my youth knew numbers only as figures on a chalkboard, not the building blocks of a vast virtual universe. As a learner of this new digital tongue, I carry the heavy accent of one who fumbled through abstract algorithms and navigated the labyrinthine paths of the internet with more hope than expertise. It was here, amidst the rows of books steeped in history, that I sought the guidance of Kevin O’Leary — a digital sage in his own right. With patience born of understanding and a knack for demystifying the complex, Kevin took on the tangled mess of my technological struggles. The metaphorical rats’ nests — those chaotic tangles of misunderstanding and misfiring circuits — were unraveled under his steady hands. Kevin cleared the digital debris and the fog of rumors I had mistakenly gathered, transforming them into coherent, straightforward language. He was an interpreter of the highest order, translating the intricate codes into comprehensible instructions, which he generously printed for me to take home. In those moments, the daunting world of digital communication felt a little more within my grasp. Reflecting on this, I am reminded of Albert Einstein’s insight: “The only source of knowledge is experience.” Indeed, Kevin’s expertise and kindness enriched my digital experience, enhancing not just my understanding but also my confidence in navigating this new world. I cannot articulate enough the value of his assistance or adequately express my gratitude. Once merely a sanctuary of written words, the library has evolved into a vibrant community hub where all forms of expression and communication converge, transcending traditional boundaries. I highly recommend a visit to those who, like me, are overwhelmed by the rapid currents of technological change. You might be surprised, as I was, by the breadth of support and camaraderie in such an esteemed institution.
Larry Winters
New Paltz
Remembering Lorin, a true rose
Forever grateful to know you, our hearts smile all day.
His laughter filled the air,
A melody sweet and true,
A friend to all, always there,
A soul with a golden hue.
Yes, in a garden of love, he stood tall,
Lorin’s spirit, “A REAL ROSE”, beloved by all.
With kindness as petals and strength as thorns,
In our hearts, his legacy adorns.
A friend so true, with laughter in the air,
His presence, a melody, is beyond compare.
In the garden of memories, Lorin’s light shines,
A true mensch, a sparkling gem among the vines.
Under the stars, his new path he walks,
Leaving behind laughter and heartfelt talks.
In sunrises and sunsets, his spirit gleams,
Forever in our hearts, forever in our dreams
So, rest in peace, our dear friend,
In this garden of our hearts, you’ll never end.
Forever a rose, forever in bloom,
Lorin, we’ll never forget your intoxicating perfume.
In each of us, a piece of him resides,
In memories and stories, love abides,
For Lorin’s impact, forever true,
A one-of-a-kind, precious rare, with a golden hue.
Forever grateful to know you, our hearts smile all day.
Neil Jarmel
West Hurley
An ideal situation
Not every utopia fails; the ones that succeed are forgotten.
Sparrow
Phoenicia
Thanking legislators for listening
Earlier this month, Youth Action Team members of the Maya Gold Foundation took a trip to Albany to meet with state legislators concerning the important topic of mental health. They shared personal stories, individual perspectives and requests for supportive policies with Assemblymember Aileen Gunther and State Senator Samra Brouk, the chairs of the Mental Health Committees of their respective chambers. They also met with local Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha on the assembly floor before being introduced and recognized by Assemblymember Gunther. In all of the conversations, the legislators listened attentively, asked follow-up questions and made valuable suggestions. The teens reported that they felt both empowered and inspired. Thank you to these elected officials for demonstrating how valuable it is to have a voice and to use it.
Mala Hoffman, Board Member
Maya Gold Foundation
Comment on Tom Cherwin’s letter of May 22
Tom Cherwin, I, as always respect and appreciate the thoughtfulness in your letters. Your points, especially about The Donald, are right on from my perspective. However, I believe that they are subtly off the most important mark when it comes to the main issue at hand in the coming election for president.
Please put your thoughts to the question of why such a large segment of the US population considers him a suitable candidate for that office. Having this character in our midst could be a fine source of wry merriment concerning the great variety of amusements in our social lives if no one’s life was seriously affected, but not as a political leader. Come on Tom, time to step up your game. Time is getting short.
Jac Conaway
Olivebridge
Connecting the dots in Hurley
I think it’s time to connect the dots regarding what is happening in Hurley. My last day serving in elected office was December 31, 2023. Foolishly, I believed my skills would be valued by my community. I now understand why I continue to be the source of scorn: I am first woman town supervisor, I can’t be bought and I question everything. While serving in elected office, I grew to understand that Mike Shultis, former town supervisor and current highway superintendent, is motivated only by his own ego and reaping financial gain from his office. His motivations drive him to:
1) Charge as much of highway department expenses to the town budget as possible so he appears fiscally-responsible to the public.
2) Remove the “condemned” notice from the old highway garage; exposing staff to high levels of mold, unsafe electrical wiring and dry rot in the roof structure — exposing the town to liability.
3) Instruct personnel to wash the trucks outside on Dug Hill Road, in violation of NYS DEC regulations — exposing the town to liability.
4) Alter privileged and confidential official documents, fabricate a letter from a government agency and released them to the public — violating town policies as well as New York State and Federal Law — exposing the town to liability.
5) Remove trees on town property and those belonging to residents (he is a logger by trade), taking lengthy vacations each winter while refusing to turn over responsibility to his deputy (this is fiscally irresponsible to the taxpayers) and he works hard to destroy the reputation of anyone he sees as a threat.
He is power-hungry and wants control of all departments. Why? Then he can ensure that his actions will not receive scrutiny and he can reap financial benefits beyond his salary. Proof of this is in his orchestration of a primary last year — which his candidates lost. He then convinced the Republicans to endorse his candidates in the general election. They won and he succeeded in getting his personal attorney, Tracy Kellogg, Diana Cline, Tim Kelly and Mike Boms into the positions they now hold. They are loyal to him and act at his direction. His behavior led to his removal from the Ulster County Democratic Committee for ethics violations. He and his team enjoyed financial backing from developers and they failed to report those donations to NYS Board of Elections in violation of NYS Election Law.
Now, Shultis is behind a primary challenge to the entire Hurley Democratic Committee. Why? Because he wants to control that too. If he and his team win a majority of the committee seats, he will control the slate of Democrats in every election cycle for the foreseeable future. He plans to install his sycophant Tim Kelly as committee chair. Kelly will likely run for town supervisor in 2025 and the plan will be complete. Hurley will be wholly controlled by Mike Shultis.
Melinda McKnight
West Hurley
Campaign finance violations in Hurley?
Why won’t Hurley Supervisor Mike Boms, town board member Diana Cline, town clerk Tracy Kellogg and town highway superintendent Mike Shultis reveal the source of their 2023 election campaign finances as required by NY State law? Voters need to know who paid for their divisive campaigns.
All political donor and expense information is required to be public so voters know who is funding candidates for public office. Why are these candidates hiding the information from Hurley voters?
Drill down using the New York Board of Elections online form by county, town and committee. Search for Hurley Republican Committee and Hurley Republican Club. You’ll find years of blank pages from both of them and nothing from their 2023 candidates. In contrast, the Hurley Democratic Party follows campaign finance disclosure laws for every election. See for yourself at: https://publicreporting.elections.ny.gov/CandidateCommitteeDisclosure/CandidateCommitteeDisclosure.
Hurley can do better. Vote for the endorsed Democratic town board and town clerk candidates. Support the True Blue endorsed Democratic Committee candidates in your election district. Find your Hurley election district and the endorsed candidates online at hurleydems.com.
The Hurley Democratic Primary election is June 25. Early voting is June 15-23. Support Hurley Dems that support Democrats up and down the ballot.
Tobe Carey
Glenford
Shades of the 1960’s
Regarding the developing student protest movement around the country challenging universities and colleges that are aiding and abetting clear genocide in Gaza, I have these comments:
First, seeing these protests spreading around the country gives me hope for humanity as it did in the 1960’s. These brave young people will not tolerate the incredible injustice being done to the Palestinian people in the form of brutality and starvation of innocent men, women and children, along with the complete destruction of their infrastructure.
Second, Alan Sussman, gets it right in his point of view “On the New Paltz protest.” As a lawyer familiar with constitutional rights, his perspective is right on and very fair. Alternatively, letter writer John Butz, as usual, can’t see the forest for the trees in his letter “More misperceptions of police,” which wildly misses the mark and applauds brutal police actions as needed to somehow avoid the alleged possible violence of peaceful protesters. Contrary to Butz’s allegations of student violence, anyone who lived through the 1960’s and were part of those protests, as I was, will recall those peaceful protests were infiltrated by violent FBI agitators to discredit the antiwar protest movement and save face of the corrupt Nixon administration (https://theintercept.com/2020/06/02/history-unitedstates-government-infiltration-protests/).
Third, What I find telling is the apparent willingness of most police forces around the country to be so aggressive and violent when dealing with peaceful protestors as letter writer and protestor Maggie Veve
testified to, but not so with the violent and anti-semitic Proud Boys (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/14/us/proud-boys-law-enforcement.html) or violent Zionists counter-protestors at the UCLA encampment (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/05/03/us/ucla-protestsencampment-violence.html).
Fourth, why have most of the college presidents dropped all academic understanding of the intent of the US Constitution and sic militarized police on peaceful protestors? What happened to all their years of education in psychology and the study of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., etc? They should be ashamed of themselves for the serious harm they are causing their students and faculty instead of negotiating a settlement.
Fifth, alternatively on Friday May 24th, 2024, by a vote of 13 to 2, the International Court of Justice ordered the following: “Israel shall be in conformity with its obligations under the Convention …. of Genocide”, “Immediately halt its military offensive in the Rafah”, “Maintain open the Rafah crossing for unhindered…. basic services and humanitarian assistance” and ” take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of any commission of inquiry … to investigate allegations of genocide” (https://www.icjcij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240524-pre-01-00-en.pdf).
Bravo to all the peaceful student and faculty protestors for standing up for the oppressed at a heavy cost to themselves. That’s very rare these days.
Steve Romine
Woodstock
You gotta see this
The currently installed window treatments, pieces of cardboard and paper put up by the employees, complements the Comeau addition more so than the addition complements the Comeau building.
Considering the design of the addition, when the town gets around to choosing proper window treatments, we hope someone other than one of the architects will be assigned the task.
Howard Harris
Woodstock
Taking action on pressing human rights issues
Whether or not you are one of the many community members who has been part of Amnesty International Mid-Hudson’s Annual Write for Rights to free human rights defenders, we have a special event for you! Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. where we will be presenting Taking Action on Pressing Human Rights Issues Locally, Nationally and Globally! Meet members of our local chapter at the Elting Library, 93 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, call 845-389-3779. Join us!
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
Dump now in Shady
I find it appalling that the town has not taken action to clean up the toxic dump that was created in Shady years ago. The Eighmeys deserve support for their obviously costly fight to fix the problem. Perhaps a “Go Fund Me” account set up for them to assist with legal expenses would help them, and by doing so, help all of us Woodstock residents in minimizing the pollution of our water supply. It would be a shame if Woodstock’s water supply was allowed to be permanently polluted with PFOS — “forever poisons” — for want of a few thousand dollars. I don’t know how to make a Go Fund Me campaign for them, but if someone can do that, I’d be happy to make the first $250 contribution.
Any town official(s) responsible for the delay in cleaning this mess up should be fired or voted out of office. Since the law clearly permits the town to do the job and bill the property owner by adding it to their property tax, there can be no excuse for not having dealt with this years ago.
Andrew Peck
Woodstock
Some points of clarification
Alan Weber’s letter of 5/22 regarding the choices facing the Onteora School District makes several mistaken assertions that require clarification, to avoid wrong impressions.
First, regarding potential future outcomes for the Woodstock Elementary building, Mr. Weber needn’t worry about a fancy restaurant, boutique hotel or strip mall arising in its place. The deed contains a covenant restricting the use of the property to either educational purposes or residential housing.
Second, Mr. Weber seems unaware that for the last 12 years Bennett Elementary has been a small, nurturing elementary school that every single student in the Onteora district attends for the latter half of their elementary years, including Woodstock students. I can say without exaggeration that Bennett has the best elementary school jazz band I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard a few. Even with the entire K-5 cohort from our 300-square-mile district attending Bennett, it would be well under the average K-5 school size for NY State. As district enrollment is still declining, there is no contemplated increase in class sizes above the desirable range.
I don’t know on what basis Mr. Weber suggests that Bennett cannot provide a peaceful environment, what he means by “institutional,” or why he thinks it has insufficient parental involvement or would in the future. Having met Woodstock parents, it is not my impression they would let a 15-20 minute drive to Boiceville prevent them from staying involved.
Lastly, the idea that the Onteora BOE should direct its resources in a way to somehow compensate the Town of Woodstock for its hangouts closing or its library moving would be an impermissible deviation from Onteora’s core mandate: to provide the best educational opportunities, equitably and responsibly, to every student from every town in our far-flung district.
Rick Knutsen
Woodstock
Investing in New Paltz’s +$110m public utility to protect our 137-year-old asset
We are excited to report that 1.3 miles of our public water system will be replaced this summer. This section runs from Southside to Sunset Ridge via South and North Chestnut streets.
The village was incorporated in 1887 primarily to organize fire protection because some of our neighboring communities had suffered devastating fires during that era.
Today, the Village of New Paltz and town water system consists of 37 miles of water main of varying materials and diameters from 2” to 16” with the majority of the system consisting of 8” mains. Water mains within the SUNY New Paltz campus represent approximately 20% of the system. Portions of the conveyance system exceed 100 years in age and have outlived their useful life. The Village DPW and town highway staff are routinely burdened with repairing deteriorated broken watermains that are constructed of cast iron pipe of unknown age.
This summer’s 1.3-mile project of 8’’ diameter main will cost $3.88 million including construction, engineering and inspections. Having replaced sewer mains on North Chestnut a few years ago, our team is aware that this will be challenging as lots of rock was hit previously. Additionally, we’ll be working with NYSDOT as this is their highway and we’ll want some work performed during overnights to manage Main Street congestion.
This job highlights the enormous replacement value for our system of drinking water pipes. At $2.985 million per mile, with 37 system miles, New Paltz ratepayers collectively own a +$110 million public utility asset.
Mayor Tim Rogers
New Paltz
One last time into the fray
Correcting Steve Romine’s errors gives one an idea of what Hercules must have faced in mucking out the Augean Stables. In his letter last week, he tries to rebut my assertion that the article he cited was not peer-reviewed by stating that it was published in a peer-reviewed journal. But the then president of the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics publications committee, Dr. Dolly B. Tyan, “was quoted as saying that the paper by Dr. Arnaiz-Villena and colleagues went to press without peer review and editorial oversight because it was part of a special issue…” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1126131/).
He then cites another study, “The Genomic History of the Bronze Age Southern Levant,” in support of his claim that the Palestinians are descendants of the Canaanites. But what that study showed, and it was hardly the main point of the paper, was that the genomes of “the great majority of present-day Jewish groups and Levantine Arab-speaking groups, are consistent with having 50% or more of their ancestry related to groups who lived in the Bronze Age Levant and the Chalcolithic Zagros [present-day Iran]. These present-day groups also show ancestry that cannot be modeled by the available ancient DNA data….” So, still another of Steve’s claims proves to be unfounded.
In keeping with his inability to understand what he reads, Steve writes that I claimed “that Palestinians didn’t arrive in Israel till the 18th and 19th century.” What I actually wrote is that “Palestinians are Arabs whose ancestors immigrated to Palestine, many arriving from Egypt only in the late 18th and early 19th century.
But enough is enough, and in dealing with people like Steve even a little bit is too much, so henceforth I will refrain from attempting to set his distorted record straight.
Rowan Dordick
Woodstock
Steve’s saga of genocide
Steve Romine refuses to admit that a cease fire gives Hamas a victory when he states in a puzzling convoluted manner … “nor do I have to explain that a cease fire is NOT a victory for Hamas …” I guess Steve is saying that a cease fire is NOT a victory for Hamas. But, he fails to explain WHY or HOW it’s not a victory for Hamas, even though such a victory would enable Hamas to regroup, rebuild and carry on its endless sole goal of the destruction of Israel. Even in a somewhat weakened state, Hamas just yesterday tried to bomb the Tel Aviv area with eight rockets from Rafah. So, with a cease fire, Hamas would have free and protected use of Rafah for additional attacks.
Steve heavily criticizes Rowan Dordick’s challenges from the week before. Steve wants Rowan, myself and other Israeli supporters to give up and completely and blindly buy into Steve’s exhaustive list of “experts” and references stating that Israel and its IDF are the SOLE bogeymen in this entire scenario. Again, all these “experts,” conferences and conventions, etc. have simply decided to expand and/or recreate the definition of “genocide” to fit their findings in the current conflict not only involving Israel and Palestine but also Hamas and all other involved terrorist groups. The original meaning and examples of genocide did NOT involve so many complex issues and, especially, the participation of several terrorist organizations, causing a country to not only defend itself but to strike back at so many enemies.
Steve’s ICJ (International Court of Justice) has data showing “ample evidence” of genocidal “intent” of committing genocide against the Palestinians. I guess we’re all supposed to ignore the fact that the REAL intent of Israel and its IDF is to destroy Hamas who, in a cowardly and gutless manner, has been using its own civilians as human shields.
John N. Butz
Modena
Improper Use of Reading Glasses?
On days when the news is too much I wear
my reading glasses so I don’t have to deal.
On days I don’t want to see a frown
or smile, I do it, depending on how I feel.
I don’t want clear definition, have perfect
resolution, when I ambiguously am.
I wear my reading glasses on the street
so I don’t have to make conversation.
I wear them when the news is bad, when
stocks are down, when poems get rejected.
These glasses de rigueur when I’m in
a funky mood and nothing else can help.
Patrick Hammer, Jr.
Saugerties
Don’t support a pool at the high school
Not so long ago, New Paltz residents did not pass the school budget. A second vote carried the day, and two things happened: Governor Cuomo’s assertion that budget increases should be capped was shattered, and the New Paltz teacher’s retirement fund got a boost.
This came at the expense of property owners like me.
Now a small but politically savvy group want a $25,000,000 pool for the high school.
Very few schools in our region have pools, and a survey of the kids in those schools show the vast majority of the kids hate having to use them.
I was on the SUNY Albany swim team and we had a great pool! It was usually an empty pool, and I often swam my laps under the watch of a custodian. 20,000 kids went there then.
The needs of the many should be placed before the wants of the few. And New Paltz has a shrinking class of K-12 students. Would you settle for a planetarium, where more kids could get turned on to astronomy?
Or replacing the three lost athletics staff we just laid off?
Paul Raymond
New Paltz
Join the family! 
