Serving the Towns of Wawarsing, Crawford, Mamakating, Rochester and Shawangunk, and everything in between
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Letters
Towns Responsible For Waste Disposal Costs

The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency recently sponsored tours of Oneida/Herkimer and Delaware counties to observe how they manage their solid waste disposal and how much disposal costs per ton. Both counties have their own landfills. Oneida/Herkimer recently dropped its tipping fee from $79 to $58 per ton. Delaware has no tipping fee as disposal is funded by the county sales tax.

This while all 20 Ulster County town supervisors are complaining, rightfully so, that the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency has the highest tipping fees in the region at $103 a ton and continues to ship its municipal solid waste 250 miles to Seneca Meadows at a cost of between $6 million and $8 million annually. This while six of Ulster County's 20 towns have average income levels below the national income poverty level of $10,280 per individual and $23,500 for a family of four.

Recently, a map of Ulster County's 1,100 square miles was developed showing 93,200 acre parcels, any one of which could qualify for a 75-year landfill at our present rate of disposal. On face value, that amounts to 75 years times $7 million a year, which equals $525 million of our continuing cost if we do nothing. If we assume that the landfill development could cost half of $525 million, or $262 million, we would save the other half of $262 million over 75 years or $3.5 million per year. This equals a $29.16-a-ton reduction in our tipping fee to $73.84 a ton.

It is time for the town supervisors to stop criticizing the agency for a solution to this problem that they and they alone control. Someplace in one of Ulster County's 20 towns is a 200-acre parcel waiting to be developed into a state-of-the-art landfill.

Charles Landi, UCRRA board member
Kingston


Riccardi Best Qualifed For Family Court

This spring the New York State Legislature created a new family court judgeship here in Ulster County. They did so in response to the ever-increasing backlog of cases awaiting their day in this important court. These cases are about families in crisis. These families are our neighbors. Therefore, it is imperative that the person elected to this judgeship have the experience, credentials and demeanor to be able to hold court immediately and to be able to hear every case that is on the docket immediately upon taking the bench so these families can get the relief they so desperately need. I believe very strongly that we have that person in Gilda Riccardi.

Gilda has spent every day for the last nine years in family court as court attorney for family court judge Anthony McGinty. She knows firsthand the operation of the court as well as having a hands on familiarity with family law statutes as well as case law. She knows the county and its people.

Before she attended law school she was a registered nurse with experience as a direct care provider as well as a supervisor of a large nursing staff. This background gives Gilda a unique understanding of not only medical terminology but also the cause and effects of bodily injury. Unfortunately testimony of that nature is sometimes heard in family court.

Gilda has also worked as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office where she prosecuted child abuse cases.

This race is not about party affiliation but rather who is the best qualified candidate for this job. Gilda is that person. Please join me in voting for her. We couldn't ask for anyone better working for us.

Donn Avallone
Saugerties


Checking Warrants For Services Is Wrong

I am very concerned about the decision to check identification at the Ulster County Department of Social Services gateway in order to enable the Sheriff's Office to find people with outstanding warrants. I understand security and safety concerns in our public buildings. I do not see this effort as an integral response to those real concerns.

By agreeing to single out the Department of Social Services (along with just one other institution, the jail) for this monitoring, the department helps to promote the image of America's poor as criminal and unworthy of the kind of protections most of us like to believe we have in our country. It hurts people receiving benefits and prevents others who need help from asking for it.

As a volunteer at Family, I have spoken with many people who need financial help because of an illness, a divorce or injury. Most feel ashamed. Women stay with their abusive partners because they cannot see themselves and their children on public assistance. Men out of work resist applying for SNAP benefits because of the stigma. The addition of the warrant check will not only keep those with outstanding warrants (and perhaps their children) from getting services. It will also deter many who need help and have done nothing wrong. It takes an already humiliating experience and adds another, unnecessary layer on top.

Susan Goldman,
Woodstock


Supports Eldridge's Fracking Position

This November, voters have a clear choice. One of the candidates in the race for New York's 19th Congressional District, supports fracking and the other opposes it.

I am voting for Sean Eldridge because as a small business owner, and father of two in Sullivan County, I am concerned about the threat fracking poses to our drinking water.

My business relies on clean water to produce a consistent product. If fracking wastewater contaminates our drinking water, it will not only have a negative impact on my business but will threaten the burgeoning tourism industry in the Catskills.

U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson says he wants science to lead the way on fracking; well, the science is here. Hundreds of studies have traced the negative environmental and health impacts of millions of gallons of wastewater pouring into our waterways.

In addition, recent reports have highlighted the damage done by fracking equipment and materials to our bridges and roadways.

Former Congressman Maurice Hinchey dedicated his career to advocating for environmental protections in this area, and Sean Eldridge will do the same.

It's not enough to say this is a state issue. The health and wellbeing of families in New York 19 are at risk, and any public official must do his or her part to call attention to this critical issue that if left ignored, could change the look of the Catskills for a generation.

Ramsay Adams
Livingston Manor


Will We Be Following In Trump's Footsteps?

When the Nevele goes bankrupt after 2 or 3 years, Ulster County will have a 'mixed use', aka low income housing facility ready for immediate occupancy. In order to convert it from a casino to a housing project, all it will take is the installation of appliances.

Mike Dovich
Marlborough


Support For Savona For Family Court

On November 4, 2014, the voters of Ulster County will be asked to elect a Family Court Judge, who will serve a ten year term. Because it is difficult to evaluate judicial candidates, I believe that it is important for those of us who know a candidate to share our knowledge with the public. That's why, despite being a lifelong Democrat, I feel compelled to share my knowledge and beliefs regarding Keri Savona with our electorate.

I have known Keri and her family for over thirty years. It's been my pleasure to watch Keri mature from an elementary school student to a fantastic young lady, who just happens to be one of our most talented and successful young attorneys. While Keri was attending law school, I was fortunate to have her clerk in my office. It was then that I first observed her outstanding legal acumen.

It takes more than legal skills to make a great judge, particularly a Family Court Judge. Family Court Judges constantly deal with some of the most difficult, gut wrenching issues confronting any court.

Over the past several years, I have had an up front and personal view of Keri and her husband Danny, confronting a few of the most devastating personal tragedies imaginable. They did so with grace and determination. Those experiences, along with Keri's intelligence, skills and judicial temperament motivate me to endorse her candidacy. She will make a fantastic Family Court Judge.

Please join me in voting for Keri Savona on November 4th.

Louis M. Klein
Kingston


NY Should Recognize Abortion-Cancer Link

New research findings from China and South Asia further confirm an overall 44 percent increased risk of breast cancer following an earlier induced abortion. According to Joel Brind, Ph.D., of Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, author of the 1996 metaanalysis of worldwide research on the abortion/breast cancer connection, the Chinese study analyzed 36 mainland Chinese studies that further confirmed the link between abortion and increased risk of later breast cancer.

Brind, co-founder of the institute, said the new findings supported those of his own work, covering years 1957 to 1996, then published in the British Epidemiology Journal. Research findings across cultures, he said, portray abortion as a primary factor among many possible environmental factors. Brind stated that overall results from subcontinent Asia give "a tsunami" of support for the link, and, unfortunately, "a potential 450 percent increase in breast cancer risk with abortion" for India and South Asia.

We look forward to health planning goals in New York that clearly target the continuing high levels of new abortion-related breast cancer cases.

John L. Grogan
Kingston


Supports John Hughes For Rosendale Board

Come election season, Pete Seeger always encouraged us to vote for candidates on the Working Families Party Line, to support working people and the labor unions who advocate for them. Check out YouTube for Pete's messages in support of WFP. Pete's advice was based on the fact that the Working Families Party is on the front lines, calling for an increase in the minimum wage to a living wage, promoting election reform to get big money out of politics, passing the Women's Equality Act, reforming drug laws to reduce incarceration for non-violent crimes, and much more. Due to the party's hard work and dedication to the issues I care about most, I plan to vote on the Working Families ballot line (Row D) on November 4, wherever I can. For John Hughes for Rosendale Town Board, I will have jump back up to Row A, but will vote WFP for as many candidates as I can. WFP supports John, but it was too late to get him on their line.

While votes on the WFP line count the same as on any other line, these votes make it clear to candidates that WFP is a strong political force who will be watching to ensure that campaign promises are fulfilled. I encourage you to join me in voting on the Working Families Party line — Row D — on election day: Tuesday, November 4.

Manna Jo Greene,
Ulster County Legislator
Cottekill


Thanks For A Great 50th EHS Reunion!

The weekend of October 10th was the 50th reunion of the EHS class of 1964 of which I participated in.

On Friday night at the football game, a half-time ceremony was held and all present classmates were called out to the field. Since the first ever football game for EHS was during our senior year, we had four of our classmates on the original team. After we graduated, we had monies left in our treasury and were undecided what to do with it. Very unfortunately, in 1970 our dear classmate, Captain Robert Woodhouse, was killed in action in Vietnam. Thus we decided to donate the money to the football scoreboard which is named in his memory. We acknowledged this and had a moment of silence for all of our departed classmates.

The reason I am writing this letter is to give a heartfelt thank you to all those who made this wonderful tribute possible. First to Lisa Wiles who put this in motion and to Mary Borriello, athletic director. Also to Kim Hoar for being so helpful and especially to Tanya Lyles who did a wonderful job emceeing and conducting the ceremony.

Again, thank you to Ellenville School District for helping to bring this to fruition.

Susan Slutsky Sperling
Spring Glen


Picks Maloney Over Hayworth's Bullying...

Well, she is back. She is trying to win Sean Maloney's seat as U.S. Representative. As a woman and a senior, I shiver at the thoughts of Nan Hayworth winning this election. This Tea Party advocate is willing to take all our benefits away. All she thinks about is her billionaire friends. As our former representative she didn't accomplish anything while she was in office. What made her think that she could win again with such a record?

When it comes to protecting seniors and women's health, I look to Sean Maloney. He is an advocate of not only seniors, but all those that are in need of health services. Come this Nov. 4, I will cast my vote for Sean Patrick Maloney.

Constance Calderin
Chester


Absentee Ballots Should Not Be So Difficult!

Back during the last week of March, I booked a cruise. A couple of months after that, realizing that the midterm elections would occur during my planned absence, I applied for an absentee ballot.

In the second week of October, realizing I had not received said ballot, I called the Board of Elections to discuss my concern. I was informed that the ballots were being delayed over a dispute about whether or not a candidate for one of the court positions should appear on the Conservative line, from which the candidate had been bumped previously. I was told that if I had not received ballot by next week to please call back.

I called again Oct. 21, since I would be leaving in fewer than four days. I was told that the issue had been resolved and that they had received the ballots "yesterday" and hoped to have them mailed out tomorrow or the next day, three or two days before my scheduled departure. If I had not received the ballot by the day before my departure, I was informed that I could come by the office and pick up a ballot.

Well, thanks a lot!

It would seem to me that, if there were such a significant delay in receiving the ballots, mailing envelopes could have been prepared ahead of time for immediate stuffing upon receipt of same. As for persons in the military who may have applied for absentee voting, I was informed they had separate ballots that had already been sent out. Was the judgeship issue not relevant to others? If not, why then for the rest of us?

Theodore W. Hayes,
Kingston



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