Peter Cross was the guest on Jeremy Wilber’s program on our local channel access station on August 21. What a breath of fresh air he presented! His genuine concern over the grim financial position our town is facing, his obvious love of Woodstock’s natural resources, his wish to see continued support for the artists in our community and his hope to help bring a Comprehensive Plan to fruition were very well presented. Being the single parent of two teenaged children he has a personal commitment to working with the other Town Board members to ensure all taxpayers’ dollars are used prudently. His concerns for local businesses to be successful were genuine. His many years serving as a volunteer on the Planning Board have contributed to his understanding that construction practices without negative impacts on the environment are definitely possible to achieve. His experience as a surveyor and the Town’s wetlands and watercourses inspector are a decided plus.
It goes without saying that voting for any incumbent would be a vote for a continuing negligent approach to the financial morass they created. A vote for
Jeremy Wilber and Peter Cross would be a vote to eradicate such negligence.
Mary Phillips Burke
Woodstock
ANOTHER AESOP
“Driven by hunger, a fox tried to reach some grapes hanging high on the vine but was unable to, although he leaped with all his strength. As he went away, the fox remarked, ‘Oh, you aren’t even ripe yet! I don’t need any sour grapes’.” Moral: you should not demean those who have achieved that which is beyond your reach.
Howard Harris
Bearsville
FOR WHOM WILL YOU VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
Over the next few years Woodstock will have to make some critical choices about where and how we choose to spend the taxpayer’s money. We make such decisions in our own personal lives, and in the end our choices are defined by our priorities. So should it be with the town’s revenues. Over the past two months I have had the pleasure of meeting with many of you and have heard firsthand what your priorities are. Since I am seeking your support in the Democratic Primary, you deserve to know the priorities that I have thus far adopted: We need to keep our business community vibrant without turning the town into a strip mall. That means having rational standards to which our businesses must comply and which are applied uniformly. We must examine the effect that seemingly attractive, income-generating quick fixes will have on the town’s hard-pressed businesses.
We have to care for our seniors and we have to care for our children. The seniors are the source of our legacy and children are the reason we pass it on. We must protect our environment. It is the prime reason we have all chosen to live here in the first place. We cannot afford any more feel-good solutions. To say that there is not enough money to spend on our priorities because of lawsuits (so often spawned by feel-good decisions) betrays the trust that a town board must honor.
As I see it, whatever the issue, the most important function of the Town Board is to align its priorities with the majority of its citizens before making a decision. If you endorse me in the Democratic primary on September 13, and then elect me to Town Board, I will be a councilperson who will listen, discuss and carefully evaluate the impacts of any proposal. I will ask myself if the priorities I have applied best represent those of the greatest number of constituents. Only then will I decide on the issue before us.
David Gross
Candidate for Town Board
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO DECIDE
Last year the Town Board approved a budget with a $450,000 deficit in the general fund. That is, last year’s budget included $450,000 more in spending than the town collected in taxes, fees and penalties.
This $450,000 deficit was covered with funds from three sources. First was the surplus accumulated during Jeremy Wilber’s term as supervisor. That fund is now depleted and there are no more surplus funds available to balance next year’s budget. Second were the unexpended funds available at the end of 2010. And a third source was a mistake which added $220,000 of unexpended funds to the 2011 budget that did not exist.
It was obvious last year that the prior year’s surplus was exhausted and that this cushion would not be available to balance the 2012 budget, and the $220,000 mistake was discovered early this year by the town’s accountant. To balance this year’s budget without spending the surplus and reserve funds, the town board would have needed to raise the $450,000 through taxes.
What is the town board doing to address this deficit? Nothing much that can be seen. The town board has never discussed this deficit during its meetings, and quotes in Woodstock Times from town board members indicate they are not engaged. Terrie Rosemblum’s statement that “It’s way too early in the process to decide,” about a problem that’s been obvious for over a year is absurd.
I am a candidate in the September 13 Democratic Primary for the Woodstock Town Board. Voters will have an opportunity to choose candidates that are engaged in the budget process and understand the implications of deficits and increased property taxes. It’s apparent the current town board does not understand the budgeting process nor the detrimental impact of increased property taxes.
Ken Panza, Candidate for Town Board
Woodstock
WE NEED A TOWN BOARD MEMBER WITH SOME COJONES
In the prevailing unsteady economic climate, we need Town Board Members who will actually have the guts to stand up to the disruptive loudmouths and do what’s right for the vast majority of Woodstockers. We need representatives who will actually represent us, and not the personal agenda of the few. David Gross is such a person. If David is elected to the Town Board his priorities will be to work for the interests of all the people of Woodstock. He will bring a strong sense of ethics and common sense to the Board. He will be a champion of much-needed reform that will greatly add to the efficient and productive functioning of our town’s government. Now that really will benefit everybody!
Mike Lourenso
Bearsville
PUBLIC BUDGET MEETING
I’ve scheduled a Town meeting at the Mescal Hornbeck Community Center on Tuesday, September 20, at 7 p.m. The purpose is for public input on the upcoming budget preparations by the Town Board. I expect other Board members will be there to hear all suggestions and opinions on revenue, expenses, departmental cuts or not, services cuts or not. Everything is on the table for discussion. We will have several hours so that folks don’t have to stick to a brief opportunity to raise concerns. Please, there cannot be any attacks on the opinion of others.
I’ve been trying for years to put the Mountain View lot on the same fee schedule of $5 as the Rock City Road parking lot, with no charge for residents. Permits for residents are available from the Town Clerk’s office. If this initiative had been put into place in 2008, we could have had at least $130,000 worth of income so far, to help balance the books. I hope to work with a more progressive Town Board next year, presuming I am re-elected.
Based on the past experiences of other candidates for Town office, I expect to be attacked as anti-Semitic. The reasoning is that I’m a member of Veterans For Peace, and over the years VFP has adopted resolutions against the State of Israel, not Israelis, in relation to Palestinians and Gazans. That charge against me is ridiculous. I’m a Jew, I’m very happy with my heritage, and I certainly have differences with policies of the State of Israel, just as I have with our national government, the State of New York, and even Woodstock.
I’m having a fun(d) raising party at the Colony, on Rock City Road, on Friday, September 9, starting at 7 p.m. Musical stars of Woodstock’s scene will have the joint jumping! And, perhaps best of all, there will be no Speechifying. Does a fun party need to be interrupted by politicians? I say no!
Finally, David Gross has another curious letter in this paper. He’s referred to someone in Town who he doesn’t name, and maintains that whoever it is has cost us an “unconscionable” amount of money. He doesn’t see fit to spell out how much money was involved, or where it went. I use the word “curious” because he wrote similar stuff about a large group of Woodstockers last week, again not naming them, while accusing them of holding the Board members hostage. Well, he is consistent. He has a problem with the very popular issue of a “fracking ban,” he thinks he has a way to get around that with zoning, but he doesn’t understand that will be a “feelgood” solution that won’t work. Complaining about the lost revenue to the town because of the “Frankentree” cell tower is valid, but he’s forgotten that if he were on the board next year, he’d be sitting with the two others who created that situation. Curious.
Jay Wenk
Woodstock
JEREMY’S RETURN
We are so pleased to see that Jeremy Wilber has decided to return to public service and run for Woodstock Town Supervisor. Jeremy has proven over the years to be a compassionate, caring and, above all, skilled leader for our community. These times call for someone with the experience and competence to navigate the town through what will prove to be a challenging fiscal environment.
This coming September 13, please come out and vote in the Democratic primary for Jeremy, a proven leader and wonderful human being.
Marianne and Thomas Collins
Woodstock
STAYING IN
Although the NYS Office of Emergency Management has declared an emergency and asked motorists to stay off the roads tonight (August 27) due to Hurricane Irene, the organizers of the Stevie Nicks concert at Bethel Green have refused to cancel the concert or agree to refunds to people who will not brave the hurricane for the concert. Their only concession to the emergency was emailing ticket holders at 7:30 p.m. informing us that Nicks’ performance had been moved up an hour (instead of starting at 9 p.m. it would start at 8 p.m.)...There is a Facebook page voicing people’s disgust at the greed of the Bethel people who would jeopardize the safety of ticket holders...
I am wasting my $240 worth of tickets because everyone from the President to the Governor to the Mayor of New York (which is where I live and where I would be returning to after the concert) have asked people to stay inside. It’s an outrage.
Cheryl Moch
Brooklyn
FOOD PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED
Hello Neighbors. I am writing on behalf of the Good Neighbor Food Pantry. We’ve had quite a nice summer at our fund raising table at the Wednesday Farmers’ Market. We thank you for your very kind and generous donations.
Certain items do need to be replenished on the pantry shelves. They are: sardines, cereal, bars of soap and pet food; however, these are only suggestions and anything, of course, is welcome.
Woodstock’s Good Neighbor Food Pantry is located on the first floor of the church (enter through the door by the Tannery Brook). Hours are Wednesdays 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m.-noon.
Donations can be dropped off any time at 31 Tannery Brook in Woodstock, and on Thursday mornings at the Woodstock Reformed Church. Cash donations are always welcome.
Again, we, your neighbors, wish to thank you!
Karen White
Woodstock
FOR GROSS
We have chosen to write this letter in support of David Gross in his bid for a seat on the Woodstock Town Board. We have known David for nearly 25 years. During this period, David has given countless hours of his time doing community service for various causes and organizations. For the past 15 years, we have seen him become more and more involved as a volunteer in the town that he has adopted as his own and has grown to love.
As a member of the Woodstock Democratic Committee and a member and the now chairman of the Environmental Commission, he has worked tirelessly to help get local and national democrats elected, and to protect the Woodstock environment. For several years, he has also volunteered to cook for and serve at our yearly Thanksgiving celebration. We don’t know too many people who are more devoted to volunteerism than David Gross. We believe that his hard work and dedication makes him worthy of your vote and we urge you to do so at the Democratic Primary on September 13, 2011.
Dennis and Abby Bressack
Woodstock
JOJO’S FOURTH PLANK — WORK SMART
Woodstock would be well served by a better process for making decisions. Unfortunately, Woodstock’s supervisors, over the past twelve years, have made their job more difficult for themselves and more expensive for taxpayers by ignoring pertinent data before decisions are finalized. Woodstock has been led down reckless and costly paths based on wrong assumptions and flawed opinions.
Woodstock’s blunders are so obvious that they exemplify pure neglect and stupidity. For example: The RUPCO project, for over seven years, never demanded data to determine, with certainty, if adequate water supply is available for over 50 new housing units. The Cell Tower project never considered any competitive proposals that would have provided cell service to all of Woodstock. The initial Comeau Stewardship Plan lacked so much fundamental data and information after an 18-month period that it cost the town significantly more in legal fees to recover and to avoid a lawsuit. A sizing report for the Geo-Thermal System in the highway garage does not exist. This “heating” system has cost Woodstock far too much in electricity. The solar panels are an afterthought meant to correct the problem that could have been avoided with an accurate sizing report by a certified mechanical engineer. The most inexcusable blunder is the erroneous transfer of 2010 funds amounting to $450,000 leaving Woodstock to deal with a shortfall for its 2011 budget. The town board used the wrong data, the wrong assumptions and the wrong analysis. Noteworthy is that each blunder could have been avoided with accurate data and analysis.
JoJo’s fourth and most important plank is to work smart. This includes ensuring accurate, sensible and complete data. Then use some old fashion common sense along with analytical business methodologies as the basis to optimize town decisions. It’s essential that we make smart thinking pervasive in Woodstock’s local government. Candidates Wilber, Rosenblum and Gross are absolutely wrong for the job. For a radical change towards smart productive processes, JoJo is seeking your “Write-In” vote for supervisor at the democratic primary on September 13.
Jay Cohen
Woodstock
DAVID GROSS HAS MY VOTE
I’m asking everyone to vote for David Gross because I think he is going to do a good job. And, right now, we don’t have room on the board for people who aren’t going to do a good job.
David has been a member of the Woodstock Democratic Committee where he has shown us that he can be reasonable, responsible, and respectable.
An important thing about David is that he is currently working with the Democratic Party at the county level. For me, this is important. We need to have board members who are able to function successfully in arenas other than Woodstock. In my opinion, this gives a different perspective to the person and enhances decision making.
And decision making is what it’s all about.
Follow up is important with David. That’s an important attribute to have in elected office. The “woods” are full of people who have absolutely no follow up ability. I have seen David consistently follow up on issues month after month after month.
Please support David Gross with your vote.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
WHO HAS THE ANSWERS TO LOW FLYING PLANES
I was pleased to see that Woodstock Times published the article, “Too Close to The Ground” about the low flying planes — however frustrated by the mystery and lack of where- to- go-to for answers.
I live in Lake Hill on Route 212 and have been terrified mid-week with these planes that seem to almost touch your roof these last six weeks or so.
I have asked around, called the local police, called the sheriff’s department and was basically written off as being perhaps imagining something or making a big deal out of nothing. I felt I was not taken seriously. I did call Hinchey’s office and they did not write me off as a “whacko” and promised to look into it via the FAA…we shall see if I get a response and follow up, but at least they were respectful, listened, and asked for information.
One night the plane was so close to my roof, that I was certain this was life threatening — even my dogs were alarmed as we huddled terrified when the dark shadow of the plane just about seemed to skim my roof by feet with an engine roar that was near deafening.
Who is doing this? Why are they allowed? If it “military” or some “official” reason why was I not alerted as a nearby homeowner somehow unlucky to be in their path?
Bonnie Carlson Diana
Lake Hill
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, is quoted in a June 6th article in the Hudson Valley Business Journal about hydro-fracking the Marcellus Shale in New York. “The state must not continue to squander this once-in-a-generation opportunity by pandering to those who twist the facts, exaggerate the problems and scare the public into thinking that natural gas exploration is new or unsafe.”
Let’s simplify this. Mr. Gill is a fracker who believes that horizontal hydraulic fracturing (HHF) can be done safely with regulations and oversight. I am an anti-fracker who believes because HHF cannot be done safely even with regulations and oversight, it should be banned in New York State. We each have our own truth. We can each accuse the other of twisting the facts, exaggerating the problems and scaring the public.
Here is a perfect example. By a 47-42 percent margin, New York State voters like the economic benefits of drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale more than they fear possible environmental concerns, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released August 11. The frackers would be happy with these results which correspond to their truth. I am not happy and must ask why those polled do not understand the economic benefits being overrated and the environmental concerns being understated? Did they only hear the lies and half-truths of the frackers?
What does each side gain from having a version of the truth? The bottom line for the frackers representing the corporations is the profit for their shareholders. Regardless of the reality of the current correlations between HHF and water contamination (leading to illnesses of people, pets and farm animals), having regulations and oversight is enough to justify their moving forward to frack the Marcellus Shale.
The main concern of the anti-frackers is the risks to people, the environment and global warming. Long-time problems associated with HHF such as major spills including from pipelines or what to do with radioactive and toxic waste water from a fracked well have not been rectified. Regulations and oversight are not the answer. A ban on HHF would be the best deterrent for the disasters that accompany this form of drilling. There are overinflated expectations of jobs which are usually short-term, low paying and part-time. Most communities experience a “boom and bust” cycle. There are no benefits to drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale.
There is not enough space here to further explore the lies and half-truths of the frackers or the truth of the anti-frackers. Do your own research and look at both sides. Please note who sponsors a web site or paid for the research when there is scientific data to back up the information you find.
We are in a dangerous quandary. Two sets of facts. Unless the true facts as expressed by the anti-frackers take hold the consequences for the future of our environment, communities and public health will be catastrophic.
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
ANSWERS BLOWING IN THE WIND, INDEED
Frankly I found myself at a total loss as to what exactly I was supposed to be doing in preparation for Irene the other day. I know, I know. And yes, there I was standing among the other less-holier-than-thous in the checkout line at Cumby’s, pathetically holding my milk and eggs and ice. We have become a nation of zombies. Each of us is a drop, and each drop is adrift in an ocean of consumers, most of whom have only the vaguest notion of what “hatches” are, let alone why it might be advisable to assure that they are “battened down.”
Looking around I wondered “How did I get here?” “I know better. An Eagle Scout no less!” Worse, it wasn’t even my first hurricane. On at least two prior occasions I’d been through this odd ritual, succumbing to the hype, going through the same sheepish motions. Thinking the same thoughts, like “Aren’t we really supposed to keep fresh batteries on hand already?” Yet still we obediently head back out to stock up, as if to half demand a lengthy power outage. That, of course, would at least give us the satisfaction of seeing the groceries we dutifully loaded into the fridge come to ruin.
And so as some were boarding up their windows, I found myself walking around the neighborhood distributing invites for an annual event I throw. Sorry, is this bad form? Perhaps so. I’d guess about half those who came to the door were shocked, shocked, that anyone would be so callous as to even think of a party at such an urgent moment in time. The other half just chuckled and said something nice, like they had worried my party would be canceled this year. And that more or less brings me back to the point. What exactly were we supposed to be doing?
Of course many people do actually have real and life-threatening needs during such times, and handing out party fliers may have crossed the proverbial line for some folk. Yet slaughtering my fattest calf and hunkering down in darkness also struck me as acutely inappropriate.
I know I’m not the only one at a loss during these confusing times. What should we expect from a society whose media hypes even a minor “weather event” into a frenzied panic-inducing once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe while simultaneously dropping a note into our inbox announcing, “Today only: Take an extra 25% off at Macy’s!” For that matter, aren’t these precisely the times when we, as Americans and as New Yorkers, can reliably be counted on to step up and come to the aid of their neighbors? But good luck with that “all for one and one for all” spirit when the sky is blue and we’re late for our tee time at the golf course.
It’s human nature I suppose, and there’s nothing to be gained by withholding the magic of Santa Claus just because it’s never Christmas in July. But as all of you are my witnesses, the next time we have a hurricane barreling toward us I vow to be more realistically prepared. That starts with keeping a copy of this reminder someplace I might find it. I want to remember that I don’t truly need any more batteries or canned goods. But I also want to remember that there are those who just might. And there are those who simply wish for a friendly place with a positive attitude so as not to feel they must ride out the storm alone. To those folks I say right here and now — the party, such as it is, will be at my place. No invitation required.
Joe Nicholson
Woodstock
PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD
This fall the United Nations is prepared to hear a petition for statehood, requested by the Palestinian delegation. Opinions vary on the political and moral implications of this gesture. I would give it an 80 percent favorable rating, if I were qualified to vote and if I were allowed to qualify my vote.
But my position is not the purpose of this letter. It is to consider the language used by some who disfavor the resolution. It is said — and has been printed in letters to the Woodstock Times — that the Palestinians are acting “unilaterally,” as though that word is, by definition, unacceptable if not disingenuous.
If it is unilateral, it is only in the limited, procedural sense that one nation, or nation-to-be, has an interest in reaching a goal of political sovereignty and asks for international recognition. It’s how things begin.
Perhaps those who charge unilateralism mean that the Palestinians are proceeding without the consent of all its neighbors. But this is a charge without meaning. If there were such consent, we would not be debating the issue. The United Nations is normally called upon to determine disputes between states, not agreements.
The Palestinians are not acting unilaterally in the least because the approval they seek must come from others. A majority of others. They desire multilateral approval of an idea.
In November, 1947, another delegation seeking political independence stood before the U.N. It did so without the consent of its neighbors, most of whom voted against it. But most of the members voted in favor. A nation was granted to them.
Alan Sussman
Bearsville
PETER CROSS FOR WOODSTOCK
I am seeking your endorsement for a seat on the Town Board. A vote for me at the Democratic Primary on September 13 would be sincerely appreciated. I believe we need voices of reason on the Town Board. I am a native Woodstock resident. I care about my home town and its future. I give you my word to work hard to establish a connection and a sense of trust between local government and the taxpaying citizenry, beginning with getting our financial house in order.
With your support I promise to keep an ever-watchful eye on the budget while simultaneously helping establish policies that will enrich our lifestyles, promote a thriving artistic and business community and provide the protection of our environment. I vow to help create a Comprehensive Plan, without expense to the town, that will meet the future needs of our town. Once passed it will allow the Town to become eligible for numerous grants which will help us achieve the goals we, as a community, deem important while sparing us from unwise or inappropriate development.
Please watch or attend the Meet the Candidates night at the Community Center on September 6.
Peter Cross, Candidate for Woodstock Town Board
Woodstock
VOTE FOR GROSS
In looking for a Democratic candidate for the Woodstock town board my first choice is David Gross. David has a proven community service track record. As the chair of the Telecommunications Committee he was instrumental in bringing cell service to Woodstock. As a member of the Environmental Commission, David was responsible for getting local businesses to agree to collecting and recycling plastic shopping bags. David has the intelligence, conscience, temerity and heart to make a valuable member of our town board. Look for David Gross on the September 13 primary and give him your vote as our Democratic representative in this November’s election.
Gordon Wemp
Woodstock
LEARN TO MAKE A SCARECROW
The Woodstock Land Conservancy and the Woodstock Farm Festival will host the first annual Scarecrow Festival Saturday,October 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on the Zena Cornfield. We’ll celebrate the season with food, music, activities, and scarecrows made by...you! That’s right, we’re looking for scarecrow submissions from individuals, families and businesses. It’s a great way to showcase your creativity in a distinctly seasonal way. But if you’ve never made a Scarecrow and want a few ideas, stop by the Woodstock Farm Festival on Wednesday, September 7 around 5:30 p.m. We’ll be demonstrating how to make a Scarecrow. Also, check out the Woodstock Land Conservancy’s website at www.woodstocklandconservancy.org for more Scarecrow Fest and scarecrow making information.
Megan Reynolds
Woodstock
SCHOOLS READY DESPITE IRENE
Hurricane Irene has provided quite an interesting way to begin the school year. I hope all of you are safe.
I am writing this letter today, not knowing exactly when our power will be back on, but knowing that we are ready for a positive and exciting school year. We have much work to do and many, mandatory changes from the State. A great deal of training has occurred during the summer, and our faculty, staff, and administrators are ready for school.
We are developing and implementing a Response to Intervention plan to help target those students who may be in need of help and hope to rectify problems early so they can go on to have successful school careers.
The Project Based Learning Plan is underway and, through grants, we are training teachers to utilize this method in their classrooms.
The Shared Decision Making Committee to “Investigate the Delivery of Curriculum to Support Students’ Maximum Educational Experience” will begin meeting soon. We would like to round out the committee with teachers in grades 4-6.
The Facility Committee is completing its tour of each building and will begin a list of priorities to begin the repairs using the Capital Reserve Fund voted in by the public and the Board. The lighting project was completed at three at our buildings with no cost to the District or its taxpayers. We are looking at energy performance contracts to minimize the financial burden to updating our facilities and we are also in the process of developing a District financial forecast and plan.
This will be a busy year, and we will keep you up-to-date using our web site and newsletters. I also look forward to seeing you at Board meetings and at local community meetings.
As a school district comprised of many communities, Hurricane Irene was and continues to be a major challenge to many of us and an unbelievable way to start the school year. Please let us know if we can help in anyway; we want to be there for our children, our families and community.
In closing, I wish each of you a happy, healthy and successful school year. I want to encourage all parents to communicate with your children’s teachers and principal with both concerns and successes.
Thank you for your continued support.
Phyllis Spiegel McGill
Superintendent of Schools
DISREGARDING THE PLAN
RUPCO continues to do what they please, when they please, regardless of what laws they break of what neighboring they harm.
Per the DEIS, construction was to start of the Playhouse Lane side of its property, with only minimal access and work from the Elwyn side. Instead, construction started from the Elwyn side, bringing in heavy equipment. RUPCO has not followed the sequence and schedule of construction (DEIS, Page 181) which clearly states building the bridge first so that the heavy equipment can at least be on a two-lane road. The EDIS goes on to outline what is to be done in Phase I and Phase II, which RUPCO did not abide by fully.
The result of this disregard for the law is that RUPCO has torn up the sides of the one lane private road, blocked it with equipment and even had the audacity and disrespect to park one of its heavy trucks in someone’s driveway.
I sent an email to the town board, the planning board, the building department and the building inspector. The building inspector called a meeting with RUPCO and two town board members. They met at the site.
The bottom line outcome is that they are basically getting to what amounts to a mild slap on the wrist instead of appropriately revoking the building permit. What a town.
Iris York
Woodstock
FRACK FREE WOODSTOCK
Despite what many of us have been led to believe, hydrofracking could come to Woodstock. This is because Ulster County is not completely inside the watershed and thus is not completely protected. Similarly, all of Woodstock is not in the watershed. The eastern third of Woodstock is outside the safety zone and is thus open to hydrofracking.
Our environmental commission is presently writing a local zoning law to ban hydrofracking in Woodstock. Many towns have already done this, including Buffalo.
We need to elect hard working, anti-hydrofracking people to the town board to pass this law. We also need a strong anti-fracking town supervisor.
Please don’t waste your vote by voting for the dog, JoJo. Do you remember when enough people voted for Nader instead of Gore so as to tip the election to Bush? The Nader people felt righteous for a while; the consequences of their actions were dire.
Vote to give us strong local officials who will fight the state authorities who are intent on granting drilling permits. Keep the old Woodstock spirit alive and our town frack free.
Essie Schwartz
Woodstock
COUNT ON JEREMY
Count me as one Democrat voting for Jeremy Wilber for town supervisor in the September 13 Democratic primary. While I respect the good intentions of his opponent, now is not the time for someone to “go to New York” to learn how to become the chief financial officer of the town; the town needs someone with experience, and Jeremy has it.
When Jeremy first came into office in 2000, the town was audited by the New York State comptroller’s office, which then issued a ten-page report on the deficiencies and lack of transparency in the town’s financial conduct. In 2003, the same agency returned for another audit and this time issued a one-page letter that essentially said all the deficiencies had been addressed.
If you think this doesn’t matter, Jeremy’s efficient financial management resulted in a two point improvement in the town’s bond rating, which resulted in far lower interest costs when the town bonded to finance the new highway facility and improvements to the water district.
Times are tough and real experience is required. I’m voting for Jeremy this September 13 in the Democratic primary, and I urge all Democrats to do the same.
Alan Shapiro
Woodstock
DEBATE IS GOOD, DEMONIZING IS NOT
I want our next town board members to be able to not publicly criticize Woodstock residents. Debate is good. Castigating and demoralizing ten our of 6000 people is not good. As a social worker who worked for years at Benedictine Hospital, I know that many people volunteer and remain anonymous. Most people who give of their time, energy and contributions to Family of Woodstock at all their locations, remain anonymous. Most people who give financial and concrete donations want to remain anonymous. There are tons of ways to volunteer, such as literacy and advocacy, donations of time instructing, advising, counseling, mentoring, building, transporting, training youth in skill-building and in the environment; fund raising for charity and causes through music, art, crafts, cooking, baking and imparting to youth through role-modeling, integrity, civic consciousness, community activism, courage and effectiveness.
I disagree with David Gross, who is running for town board. What is bad for the body politic is to continue a tirade over ten unnamed “invisible” people, yet state that you want a police station on Rock City Road in the Mountainview Parking Lot, with traffic on Rock City Road obstruction police work…and to sell Town Hall? Let us be glad that disaster has been avoided.
Jane Kelly
Lake Hill
SAY NO TO FRACKING
When was the last time you turned on your faucet, filled your glass and took a drink? If hydrofracking is permitted, this simple act that we take for granted may cease to be possible. Clean water is a commons, and a treasure we must all guard and preserve.
The hydrofracking process takes millions of gallons of good clean water per well, mixes it with toxic chemicals and pumps that water back into the earth to break up the shale and release natural gas, contaminating groundwater as well as our springs, streams and rivers in the process.
The gas itself often cannot all be captured and finds its own way out of the earth causing havoc of its own.
We live in a beautiful area. Tourism and farming are major industries. We could lose this as well as our own quality of life. This is too much of a price to pay. Please contact our elected officials and ask them to say not to all aspects of hydrofracking.
Toni Weidenbacher
Woodstock
TERRIE! TERRIE! TERRIE
I am writing on behalf of my friend Terrie Rosenblum in support of her candidacy for the office of Woodstock Town Supervisor.
Terrie! Terrie! Terrie! for Town Of Woodstock Supervisor. To my way of thinking, this should be the chant of our neighbors and friends in Woodstock. Who else knows Woodstock better? Who else has been groomed and in training for as long as Terrie has? Who else has the temperament and expertise that our Terrie Rosenblum has?
I know her to be a leader and a woman of her word. I know she has the ability to work with town governments and people of her community as well as with other communities. I’ve seen her in action. When there was something to be done for the good of the communities involved, with out great fanfare or show, she weaved and forged the necessary alliances to get the work done.
I know it was with great personal effort that the Playhouse is not just a thing of the past. Terrie has a great love for the community of Woodstock that has allowed her to serve them in various ways. Her pat on the back is in achieving the things that make Woodstock great.
Terrie Rosenblum is not one to stand on the sidelines wringing her hands in defeat. She is a born winner with great vision for the future. Her service as Deputy Supervisor has already exposed her to the duties and responsibilities that lie ahead for the Town of Woodstock. The management of her own businesses has given her the expertise and a sensible background for the task of managing Town of Woodstock business. Being a homeowner, Terrie knows the value of property and having had such great exposure through her own real estate business, she understands real assets and town growth. Woodstock needs someone who is known by them and Woodstock needs someone who knows them and has worked successfully with them and for them in the past to be an effective Town Supervisor. Woodstock doesn’t need someone caught up in a moment. Woodstock needs Terrie Rosenblum, a person they know they can trust with their future to be Town Supervisor. Terrie will be with them in rain or in shine. Woodstock needs Terrie Rosenblum, someone they know to be competent and responsible for Town Supervisor. Woodstock needs Terrie Rosenblum to be Town Supervisor because no one will do it better. Terrie! Terrie! Terrie!
Alverta Jones
Saugerties
I’M FOR JEREMY
September 13 is an important date for Woodstock Democrats to remember. It is when we will select our candidate for town supervisor for the November election. I urge Democrats to vote for Jeremy Wilber.
I happened to attend last May when he announced on the Village Green his intention to run for the office he vacated (after eight years) in 2008, and is willing to assume again, and have kept a copy of his brief speech. Phrases that stand out for me are: “You need not be reminded that we live in challenging times. New York State is broke, the feds are strapped and an ideology hovers that seeks to make the burden of sacrifice fall most heavily on those least able to bear it…”
“As Americans we must maintain our nature to be optimistic and not dim or sadden our prospects for a brighter future…”If you support me for town supervisor, I promise a deep sense of suty to the office and unfailing optimism in execution of its responsibilities.”
Jeremy’s record of financial management make it obvious that he is the best choice for supervisor. He makes the tough decisions and stands by them. On September 13, I’m voting for Jeremy.
Thomas Ocker
Woodstock
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