Do you ever get the urge to say, “I told you so” and point out why you were right?
Howard Harris
Bearsville
VISIT THE PLAYHOUSE
On Thursday evening, June 30, I had the absolute pleasure of working at the newly re-opened Woodstock Playhouse. I may have arrived as the caterer but I have left as a dedicated fan. The venue is exquisite but pales in comparison to the bright light of passion that shines from Doug Farrell and Randy Conti. It was impossible to leave without a sense of unparalleled pride in knowing that this place, these people and this treasure are part of our community. Each and every resident of Ulster County should make it a point to visit the Woodstock Playhouse this summer. If the opening gala performance is indicative of the productions hosted by NYCA at that venue we can all look forward to many more curtain calls. The Woodstock Playhouse is indeed, one singular sensation. Brava!
Diane Reeder,
The Queens Galley
Kingston
EQUAL RIGHTS
The evolution of equal rights for all members of our society has been long and bloody, and I share the excitement that the opportunity for same sex marriage now has happened in New York State. Pre-Neanderthalic minds are unhappy about this, and I hope they will soon see the error of their ways and join the rest of us. It is truly a sad shadow on these good feelings that four members of your Woodstock Town Board refused to sign on to my resolution supporting the Governor’s attempt to legalize this equality for our friends. I hope that they will soon see the error of their ways.
Jay Wenk
Woodstock
THE COSTS OF WARS
During his speech on Afghanistan June 22, President Obama revealed that “Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war.” He knew this was a deceptive understatement, as did anyone who kept close watch on the Bush-Obama wars these past 10 years. Few Americans, however, have closely followed Washington’s 21st century wars of choice, so a trillion probably sounds right, but that amount is way off base. After all, the annual cost of air conditioning alone for the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq amounts to $20.2 billion a year.
The latest objective estimate for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, made public June 29, is between $3.7 trillion and $4.4 trillion, according to the research project “Costs of War” by Brown University’s Watson Institute for International Studies. The university assembled a team of economists, anthropologists, political scientists, legal experts, and a physician to do this analysis, which included future costs for veterans care and interest on war debts to be paid over the next few decades.
The medical costs are huge. “While we know how many U.S. soldiers have died in the wars (just over 6,000),” the report pointed out, “what is startling is what we don’t know about the levels of injury and illness in those who have returned from the wars. New disability claims continue to pour into the VA, with 550,000 just through last fall.”
It’s impossible to precisely predict the interest costs on these wars. In 2010, $400 billion of our tax money went toward paying off past war debts as far back as the Korean War of the early 1950s. We’ll pay war debts indefinitely because Washington is always borrowing to plan for or start new wars. So far, the U.S.-led NATO war for regime change in Libya is costing American taxpayers about a billion.
The Brown University figures may underestimates. The respected Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard Professor Linda Bilmes told a Congressional committee in 2008 that the combined cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars would be between $5 and $7 trillion, based on the hidden as well as known costs of the wars, including the war debts our grandchildren will still be paying off.
Assuming Obama is reelected, the Bush-Obama wars — including Iraq, Afghanistan Pakistan, plus the drone strikes in Yemen and Somalia, plus any new wars in Obama’s final years — will certainly top $5 trillion is real costs. (Keep in mind, one trillion is a thousand billion, and a billion is a thousand million.)
Current Pentagon spending of around $700 billion a year represents a huge increase since 2001, when it totaled about $380 billion. But that’s only half the story. Double the Pentagon’s $700 billion for a true estimate of the amount of money the U.S. spent on war-related issues last year, and will keep doing. That’s $1.4 trillion a year for the United States — more money spent for “national security” than the rest of world nations combined.
Here’s how to get the true cost. Instead of just the Pentagon budget, it is essential to consider Washington’s other related federal budgets. That includes the costs of America’s 16 different intelligence services, the percentage of the annual national debt to pay for past war expenses, Homeland Security, nuclear weapons, additional annual spending requests for Iraq and Afghan wars, military retiree pay and healthcare for vets, NASA, the FBI portion of its war-related military work), etc.
It’s fruitful to contemplate where our $5 trillion Bush-Obama war funding might have been invested instead. Such funding could have paid for a swift transition from fossil fuels to a solar-wind energy system for the entire U.S., with enough left to overhaul America’s decaying and outdated civil infrastructure, among other projects. That kind of money could have created jobs for all our people. Instead we’re throwing it away on unnecessary wars against small, poor countries and getting nothing for it but more debts, cutbacks and worries.
Jack A. Smith
New Paltz
A GOOD MONTH IN THE PANTRY
Sometimes these things just happen. The universe seems to smile on the pantry. June was just such a month. We had enough food for everyone with shortages only on tuna fish, peanut butter and soup.
Overlook Methodist and Shady Methodist Churches shared the month. Roseann Maclary and Valda Eighmey from Shady Methodist conducted a food drive that was mostly held in the homes behind the Overlook Methodist Church. The residents were very generous in their donations. And, we offer a sincere “thank you” to everyone who sent over food.
The food drive at the Sunflower Natural Foods Market was very successful with enough donations of money to enable us to purchase eleven cases of soup.
Individual donation checks covered the cost of 200 dozen eggs. Eggs are a new thing in the pantry. Without the new refrigerator, and the individual donations this would have never been possible.
Other donations allowed us to purchase 70 gallons of nonfat milk.
At our monthly meeting of the Board of the Good Neighbor Food Pantry, we added Ann King as a board member. She has been supervising the food drives at the Sunflower all these months.
The meetings of the Good Neighbor Food Pantry are held the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. A training class is held at 6 p.m. in the pantry before the meeting. This class is for anyone who is interested in volunteering in the pantry or who would like to just know more about how the pantry works.
James Dougherty has been processing our 501(c)3 application and it is almost completed. That has been a major undertaking and he has done it well. This is a milestone for the pantry.
This month, for the first time, several members of the Consistory of the Woodstock Reformed Church visited our meeting. We were complimented by this visit because the Woodstock Reformed Church has hosted the Good Neighbor Food Pantry for many, many years. We’re grateful for the generosity of this congregation. Theirs is a gift which “keeps on giving.”
Volunteers go to Albany weekly for fresh produce. We also receive fresh produce from Hurley Ridge Market, and Sunflower Natural Foods Market. Bread Alone donates a carload of bread weekly.
The monthly food delivery went very smoothly this month under the supervision of Mike Lourenso. Each month, many volunteers show up, haul in the food, put it away, and disappear. Without the generosity of these people, our pantry would have very little food.
We are now making empty cardboard boxes available to anyone who wants or needs some boxes. Just come to the pantry about 10 a.m. on food delivery day and pick up all the boxes you want. They are clean and come in a variety of sizes and strengths. Our next delivery date is July 19.
With the election season coming up, you can get your voter registration cards at the pantry. They are on our Community Information table. Please drop by the pantry when it is open: Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. You can also get your absentee ballot applications at the pantry.
Thank you to everyone who supports our pantry. It is truly a community place where all are welcomed without exception. This could not happen without your contribution.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
DEIS DEFICIENCIES AT WILLIAMS LAKE
The Sierra Club is neither for nor against development of the Williams Lake property in Rosendale. We are against the development as proposed so far. Despite its 6000 pages, with appendices, the (HRVR) Hudson River Valley Resorts‘ Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), is surprisingly deficient on a number of aspects of their proposed development. It is urgent for the public, whether against or for the development, so far, to be informed of these deficiencies and omissions.
Any cost-cutting measures that HRVR might take may prove disastrous and very costly in the future for the occupants of the development, for the citizens of Rosendale, and for the public of our area. These deficiencies are suspect, primarily because of HRVR’s ridiculous denial that the land underlying the Williams Lake property is karst despite the testimony of the nationally renowned hydrogeologist Dr. Ralph Ewers, who was hired by the town of Rosendale. We are concerned as to what other denials HRVR might have included in their DEIS. Fortunately, the omissions and deficiencies in their DEIS are, thankfully, documented by the volunteer concerned citizens of Save The Lakes on their website savethelakes.us.
The Sierra Club, another volunteer group including about 700 here in Ulster County, has supported financially the scientific investigation of the availability to this karst system of the necessary water for the size of the proposed development, 130 hotel units, several additional resort facilities, and 160 individual homes proposed to replace the former modest hotel of 57 rooms distributed among five small one and two-story buildings. The Sierra Club has supported the work of hydrogeologist Paul Rubin of Hydroquest to investigate the karst/water relationship to HRVR’s proposed much larger development.
Rubin has done field work from the property of attorney Edward Williams who owns a small parcel on the lake, and from the public right of way on Binnewater Road (16.5 feet on either side from the center line of the road). The Sierra Club has been denied access for our hydrogeologist to HRVR property to date, despite our having made several requests during the past year, and despite Rubin’s public request at the recent DEC public hearing.
Our latest letter to Tim Allred, Project Manager of HRVR, mailed June 10th, 2011, states: “We are writing in response to the message you left on Ms. Steele’s voice mail last week regarding [having] a meeting to discuss our request that Mr. Paul Rubin be allowed access to the Williams Lake property in order to verify the information presented in your DEIS. We do not see what purpose might be served by a meeting to discuss this request, which we have made several times without benefit of a definitive response from you. Mr. Rubin is a highly renowned hydrologist whose scientific work has been validated many times. He would like to field check his conclusions regarding the watershed boundaries of Williams Lake. Since your project is highly dependent upon the viability of Williams Lake as a water source, we should think you would welcome any scientific information regarding the availability of water from this source, particularly since Mr. Rubin is offering to do this work at no cost to you. Please let us know, as soon as possible, in writing, whether you intend to allow Mr. Rubin site access for his field studies. If not, please explain your reasons why.”
We have had no response to date to this letter or any of our previous requests for site access to our consulting hydrologist. If the developers are so confident in the accuracy of their studies, why do they continue to refuse site access to independent experts?
Joanne Steele, Chair, Mid-Hudson Group Atlantic Chapter Sierra Club
St. Remy
I’M SAFE, THANKS TO WOODSTOCK RESCUE
On Friday, July 1, as I was backing out of the Cub Market parking lot in Bearsville, my car suddenly accelerated and caused me to land in the Sawkill stream, dangling from my seatbelt in my overturned car. I am happy to report that I am totally fine. But this would not have been the case, if it were not for an anonymous Good Samaritan who called the police. The quick action of the police, the fire department and the ambulance personnel has given me a greater appreciation of the compassion and expertise of these extraordinary people. They worked quickly, using the Jaws of Life, and kept reassuring me that I would be OK. What was particularly astonishing to me was how they managed to get me out of the car — steadying me and preventing me from falling, cutting the seatbelt, ever so gently freeing me from my vehicle and carrying me to safety. Unfortunately, I did not get the names of everyone who ensured that I would be fine, but I want them to know that I will be eternally grateful for their kindness and care. I also would like to thank the staff at the Kingston Hospital emergency room. Thank you all.
Roberta Shlasko
Bearsville
PICKING ON ISRAEL, FROM AFAR
Fred Nagel, you start your last obnoxious letter with “there is something pathetic in the way Bibi Netanyahu wipes the floor with our president...” But what it should have said is: “there is something pathetic in the way I, Fred Nagel, wipe the floor about Israel.”
To answer your question (and then pose another one) I say: what makes our government fawn over Israel is that it is the only democratic country in the Middle East that is ruled by an elected government; where there is freedom of speech and is not run by tyrannical maniacal leaders who think nothing of wholesale killing of their people. And now the question to you: what is wrong with you that makes you write such patently off-the-wall, vicious, and vituperative letters? Probably part of your nastiness is that you can talk real big here in the USA without endangering yourself…try the same type of talk about Assad in Syria…but, of course, you probably wouldn’t because you (and the rest of your ilk) would be so fearful of Assad that you (in your words) “would get down on your knees if you were told to.”
And again quoting you but substituting: “Not one peep about the U.S. citizens (not to mention Israelis) murdered by Palestinian’s wanton violence (including using their own people as human shields).”
The Americans who went to fight against Franco were freedom fighters...the equivalent would be your going to the Middle Eastern Countries where people are fighting tyranny and joining the rebels...but that is a dangerous act against very merciless foes. It is easier for you to pick on Israel from the comfort and freedom of your American home. Another suggestion, perhaps you could work for the liberation of women in fundamentalist Islamic countries like Iran or Saudi Arabia. That however would be hard and dangerous (although worthwhile) and worst of all, from your standpoint, anonymous. It wouldn’t allow you much grandstanding!
Susan Puretz
Saugerties
WOODSTOCK TO GAZA
I am proud to live among some true fighters for democracy. On this Independence Day there was a courageous stand for human rights extending from U.S. shores to the Middle East, Palestine and Gaza. On July 3, the local peace activist Nic Abramson and seven other distinguished U.S. peace activist fasted at the gates to the U.S. embassy in Athens Greece to protest the sabotage of the Peace flotilla ships that were due to sail to Gaza.
Their clear objective is to challenge the illegal maritime blockade of Gaza imposed by Israel, with nothing more than letters of peace and solidarity yet the IDF claim it is a ‘terrorist’ mission laden with chemical weapons and dreadful threatening people such as author Alice Walker.
There are no guns, no fire work explosion similes, no vitriolic justifications just peace and love from Woodstock and other world non violent organizations. This apparent lack of sensation might mean that the Palestine-Israel debacle is not getting full coverage in mainstream news, yet it is the fundamental breakdown and root cause for war in the Middle East. Painfully yet thankfully we do see the U.S.-Israeli militaristic monsters thrashing about with false glory, yet failing to crush the rising of democracy.
This weekend I’m celebrating those who stand for Democracy.
Stephen Johnson
Woodstock
FREUDIAN SLIPS
How telling is it that Terrie Rosenblum can list off the great assets the town of Woodstock has to offer in her letter last week, yet fail to mention the Comeau, the crown jewel of perhaps all of Ulster County. Also no mention of the underfunded Youth Center or the successful Farm Festival. And in response to her request for ideas that could enrich the town, here’s one; how about making Woodstock an inviting and welcoming destination for same sex marriages? Michael Bloomberg gets it, along with many New York State leaders. Maybe Ralph Goneau would agree to lead the task force?
Michael Veitch
Munich, Germany
SPOTS BEFORE YOUR EYES
The town of New Paltz has installed purple parking meters — the only ones I’ve ever seen. Here’s an idea for Woodstock — polka dot parking meters!
Sparrow
Phoenicia
SCIENTIFICALLY INDEFENSIBLE
I am anxiously awaiting a logical explanation from the DEC and from Governor Cuomo of their recent decision to ban hydrofracking in the NYC watershed areas and in the Syracuse watershed areas but to allow hydrofracking in the rest of New York State. It is common knowledge that all people live in a watershed and that every person gets his or her drinking water and water for all other necessities from a watershed, so I need to have it explained to me, scientifically, why they deem it mandatory to protect those citizens living within the aforementioned watersheds from the myriad negative side effects caused by the hydrofracking process but unnecessary to protect any of the rest of the millions of citizens living outside of those two watersheds? This is wrong! This is totally, unarguably wrong! Hydrofracking is either safe or it isn’t safe. There can be no ifs, ands, buts or maybes about it. How long do you think I’ll have to wait to receive a scientifically based answer to my question of their outrageous decision? I won’t hold my breath until that happens, that’s for sure! If you agree with me, I sincerely hope you will take the time to contact all our elected officials, telling them that they simply have to consider, first and foremost, the health, safety and welfare of the citizens who voted for them. Such concerns must rank way above the profiteering greed of the oil industry and the mega-bucks sway they seem to hold over almost every politician.
Mary Phillips Burke
Woodstock
HELPING HANDS SAYS THANKS
The Helping Hands of NY Food Pantry fundraiser last Sunday at the Phoenicia Black Bear Campground was a beautiful event. Varied aspects of our community came out to support this worthy cause along with some of Ulster county’s luminaries and Town Supervisor Rob Stanley and George Blank, founder of Helping Hands, presented appreciation awards to Honorees John and Olga Zirinsky.
On behalf of Helping Hands, I want to thank all the attendees for their generous contributions and continued support, our Honorees John and Olga Zirinsky and family; the super volunteers: Ken Umhey & cooking crew for a classic BBQ; Joyce the Salad Queen; Linda Blank for her coordination of everything; Carol, Nancy, Maureen, Kathy, Janet, Lynn, Helen and Ned, Tommy, Steve, Eric, Ben, Alexandro, Mike, Dave; our precious friend, Randall Eaton for his help in connecting the dots with Will Hayes, engineer and sound reinforcement, Rooster Sound. The entire event was documented by Mark Loete Photography and can be view on our website: HelpingHandsofNY.com, created by Stephanie Blackman Design.
Mucho kudos to George Blank, owner of Phoenicia Black Bear Campground, for the use of the property and the magnificent tent and decor.
A very special shout out to the performers: Gus Mancini, The Sultan of Sonic Soul, Jimmy Eppard, Peter Head of Pitchfork Militia, Pete Rose & The Buds, Mike Colletti, George Leary, Toni Keyes, Laurel, Rachel Holt, Bergcamp Brothers, Joey Eppard and Marian Tortorella, astrologist. Every musician played the appropriate tunes for the occasion to a happy audience. Fun and fulfillment were felt by all!
Thank you for caring and sharing with our community.
Otia Leem, Helping Hands of NY
Phoenicia
I’M IN
I am announcing I will seek a position on the Woodstock Town Board in this fall’s elections. Regular readers of the letters to the editor probably are familiar with some of the issues I believe are important. My positions haven’t changed.
I oppose the latest proposal put forward by Supervisor Jeff Moran and Deputy Supervisor Terrie Rosenblum to sell town hall. Since the voter approved renovation of town hall in 2007, Moran and Rosenblum spent over $120,000 on engineers and architects. We have plans for Elna Magnetics, upper Comeau, lower Comeau, the Mountain View parking lot, and at least four designs for town hall. Enough is enough.
In October 2008, the courts swept aside all legal objections to the Comeau conservation easement, but since then, Jeff and Terrie have spent over $30,000 with Steven Barshov to resolve violations of the easement. Enough is enough.
We need a town board that understands budgets, doesn’t make $300,000 mistakes, and treats the taxpayer’s money with respect. The town board now spends freely on engineers, architects, lawyers and consultants without asking how much and doesn’t seem understand how town budgets and taxes work.
I agree with the platform put forward by Jeremy Wilber, candidate for supervisor. Jeremy has a strong record managing the town’s budget and getting projects completed. We need a town board that will address the serious problems facing Woodstock.
Many times, Jay Wenk has been the sole voice of reason. If his proposals for the water district and the Comeau stewardship plan weren’t ignored, some existing problems could have been avoided. Jay deserves your support for another term.
Candidates Terrie Rosenblum and David Gross are firm supporters of Jeff Moran and his policies, and their election would simply mean a continuation of these ineffective policies. Enough is enough.
Ken Panza
Woodstock
WOODSTOCK’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
I am a native of Woodstock and I am running for a position on the Woodstock Town Board because I believe I can make a difference in guiding the town to a sustainable future. I believe we can improve the historical and cultural attractions to increase the revenues to the town. We also need to work hard to go green and reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment.
Peter Cross
Woodstock
TO RALPH GONEAU
Sorrow and sympathy for what you have suffered in the past. Glad that you found a place and a partner in this community.
As quoted from a friend’s facebook page on the day the same sex marriage legislation passed. “It’s not who you love, but IF you love.”
You are known as a valued member of this town and I am saddened that anyone
(particularly a friend of 25 years!) would not rejoice with you. Be assured there are many here who do. Best wishes to you and your partner
Cornelia Hartmann Rosenblum
Woodstock
LOOKING FORWARD
I’ve experienced many town supervisors in over 45 years of living here. Each supervisor has left their own imprint on the town. Some of their imprints were good and some, not so much. But all defined them and what they felt was the essence of their concern and their vision for the town. That was their legacy.
As Supervisor: I will increase the Town Board’s outreach to those Woodstock Citizens who have unique knowledge or expertise that, depending on the issue, could be both enlightening and helpful to the Board. The town board cannot draw only from itself for research that will lead to good and positive solutions. I will encourage the ideas and voices of community members.
I will expand the current volunteer Task Forces. Task Forces are comprised of volunteer local residents with specific expertise or interest in a specific issue or town need. They initiate and complete projects that are authorized by the Supervisor.
These Task Forces have only come into existence in the past two years and have been a huge success. They are a way for the community to participate in solving town enhancements. Their love of our town has fixed many old problems that former Town Boards could not achieve. I will continue to enable their service to the town.
In my quest for Town Supervisor I am drawing from my participation in working with town employees, committees, and boards. I will bring new and creative approaches to both the new issues that will have to be addressed and the old issues that are still to be resolved. Thank you for your consideration.
Terrie Rosenblum
Woodstock
CHECK THE WATER FIRST, BEFORE RUPCO BUILDS
RUPCO may be “poised and ready to go,” but they have been saying that since the winter when they “announced” they would be breaking ground on March 1. They no more have a guaranteed source of water for the project now then they did then, a major issue never addressed in Planning Board sessions. This latest statement is typical of the stance RUPCO has taken before, and pressure is put on us, the town, to let them “break ground”— this time without the proper procedures and time-frame for testing our water supply and its infrastructure that the DEC required last month. The town should not let RUPCO begin building until the tests of our water supply and pumps have been completed. Water district users are being put at financial risk by adding 52 homes to the system without proper testing of the pumps and leaking infrastructure which needs to be studied. Taxpayers will already be paying for this testing, much less repairs and improvements that will be needed. Adding 52 homes is significant use, an 18 percent increase in the hamlet population, and this is roughly 50 percent of the number of homes in the Bearsville flats from Meadow Lane and Dixon Ave. including through Overlook Drive.
There have been problems with our water supply, leakage and with at least one pump. Jeff Moran has banned water use for some users as recently as last year, and now states he is confident we have the water supply for RUPCO. No sound basis for this claim has been presented. Our town officials should act in our interest, and not succumb to pressure to give RUPCO a building permit. I believe there is great pressure on RUPCO to start building. It should not be at the potential expense of Woodstock residents and taxpayers.
This proposed “affordable” housing project affects the most affordable areas in Woodstock, the immediate Playhouse Lane neighborhood, the hamlet, and now residents in the water district. Upper eligibility income levels for living at the proposed Woodstock Commons are higher than what many Woodstockers have ever earned yearly. The project is geared towards county and statewide housing. It does not address affordable housing in Woodstock, except perhaps minimally. The town already has a budget deficit for 2012. The general economy is not great. It is Woodstock taxpayers who will be at risk to pick up the burden for costs of poor decisions made now by our local officials. The town should proceed first with the water testing until completed as outlined by the DEC as a requirement for a building permit if this project is to be built at all.
Pat Jackson
Woodstock
THEIR TIME IS NOW
Last week, in this section of Woodstock Times, Gary Maurer from Willow (like many before him) writes “my town government refuses to even consider providing cell phone service.” Yet, there was a time when Woodstock’s Town government had numerous opportunities, over several years, to consider cell service for the entire town. I am still waiting, for over six years now, for a response from the town board requesting a comprehensive town wide plan for cell service.
Today, these same hopeless “decision makers,” who have no idea of basic business principals, are again running for Town Supervisor. Both Jeremy Wilber and Terrie Rosenblum, never made an effort to collect and analyze meaningful data, demand competitive options, or consider a comprehensive town wide plan. Instead they helped to manipulate documents and support zoning law changes to meet their shortsighted goals. As a consequence, 100 percent of Woodstock tax payers who reside, drive through, dine, or require emergency assistance on the West end of town do not have cell service. As with other town board failures and needless expenses (and the list is long), there is no town government accountability for poor management, other than your vote.
And let’s face it; the evidence (on numerous town projects) proves that both Wilber and Rosenblum are poor choices for town supervisor. They lack the business sense and people skills to do it right the first time. I remain baffled that the Republican Party, where many have the skills and experience, are not running for Supervisor. Their time has come and it’s now.
Jay Cohen
Woodstock
NO WAY RUPCO
In the final resolution for Woodstock Commons passed by the Planning Board on August 5, 2010, there were several conditions stated that must be met before a building permit is issued. There were many but here’s a couple of interesting ones.
“Tree clearing related to site development shall only occur between October 1 and March 31 of any given year.” It does not say some trees and it does not say because of habitat.
“Acceptance of Sanitary Sewer Force Main on behalf of Hamlet Sewer District, acceptance of Public Access Easement for public access to the on-site trails, acceptance into the Town Lighting District of the Project Sponsors’ infrastructure & Acceptance of Water Main on behalf of Town Water District by the Woodstock Town Board.”
The St. John property is not in the hamlet sewer district no matter how many times RUPCO and the Planning Board want to point to the map. The map is incorrect. We submitted our comments at the February 2009 Public Hearing, I have written letters about it and showed the proof to several people who agree.
Also, the water issue is still pending and it won’t be over for some time.
If the Town issues a building permit, it will be in clear violation of the final resolution passed by the Planning Board last August.
Iris York
Woodstock
BURMESE REFUGEE PROJECT AND THANK YOU
Violet Snow did a wonderful job writing about the Burmese Refugee Project and Banyan School that I’ll be helping to open in northern Thailand. Thank you. If readers want more information about this worthwhile non-profit organization they can go to: www.burmeserefugeeproject.org. For specific details on the school, look for Our Work and then School Initiative. There’s also information about making tax-deductible donations to BRP as we try to raise $250,000 to open the school.
This letter is also a way to say thank you to the hundreds of local people who have enriched my life during my 24 years here. This is a unique community with a plethora of caring, talented and interesting people. It continues to amaze me as people go out of their way to help others. Just look at recent projects like Staying in Place and the Good Neighbor Food Pantry as well as 40-year old Family of Woodstock.
A special thank you and good-bye go out to all my friends and colleagues at Family of Woodstock, the Woodstock Library, Maverick Concerts, Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, Ulster Chamber Music Series and Staying in Place where I’ve volunteered or worked on Boards. I’ll miss you.
Paula Silbey
Lake Hill
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