It has been a tradition that on the first Saturday in August, the American Legion holds its annual picnic. In all my years with this organization, this year’s attendance was the lowest.
I know there are many parties, a roast at the river, a family reunion, etc. being held and there are only so many weekends in the summer but the Post is not so far that you could drop by to thank and support the Legion and have a drink and a hot dog. Sadly, to my knowledge, only a couple of our local politicians showed up. We changed the hours of the picnic in order toe accommodate those who work on Saturday so they could attend.
These are your veterans. They are there for school functions, parades, Memorial Day and Veterans Day services. They are on call for military funerals in hot, cold or rainy weather.
I do want to thank all those volunteers who helped again and again.
Charles Marullo
Picnic chairman
Past commander, Post 72
BAD TIME FOR A RAISE
How could the Saugerties Board of Education grant a raise to business administrator Allen Olsen at a time when the district has adopted an austerity budget, eliminated jobs, library media, sports, music and art programs?
The job of a school business manager is to save the district money. Why should an employee get a raise for doing what is in his or her job description, especially at a time like this?
The district just experienced the heaviest voter turnout in history with voters knocking out a spending plan that would have raised taxes by 22 percent, saying in loud, clear voices “we just can not afford it anymore.”
Nothing, then, was learned from the $1.6 million error in estimated revenue. I wonder if the previous business administrator also got a raise before he left this district? There seems to be some miscommunication between the Board of Education and the taxpayers.
Christine Aiello
Saugerties
EXPLANATION SOUGHT
I would be interest to know why “No Parking” signs were put on both sides of Main Street from Washington Avenue to Route 9W on Sunday, August 8. There was an Hispanic Festival in the parking lot next to the Kiersted House and certainly attendees could have parked in the street. It seems as though most parked in the bus circle in front of Cahill School. I thought that was to be kept clear for emergency vehicles.
It seems unnecessary to have someone hammer in the signs at 5:30 a.m. and take away all the parking. Can anyone give me an answer?
Mary Anne Marullo
Saugerties
RICKS FOR TOWN JUSTICE
I have known Wendy Ricks both professionally and personally for many years. She is highly respected in the legal community for her intelligence, experience and unquestioned integrity. She has done a tremendous job as Saugerties town justice over the past four years. Please join me in re-electing Wendy on Election Day.
Elisabeth Krisjanis
Saugerties
THANK YOU FROM ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR ORGANIZER
The 8th annual Saugerties Artists’ Studio Tour, August 14 and 15, was a huge success. Attendance and spirits were high surpassing all previous tours. We, the artists who proudly call Saugerties home, have much to be grateful for. This showcase event is evidence of what can be achieved when artists, with support from the community, local government, businesses and the press can achieve.
On behalf of myself and all the artists who participated in the tour, we would like to thank: supervisor Greg Helsmoortel for his steadfast support, the Town Board members, Kiwanis Club of Saugerties, Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce, Will Dendis and the Saugerties Times, Crispin Kott, Heather Plonchak, Paul Smart, the Alm@nac, The Saugerties Post Star, the Daily Freeman, Ann Gibbons and Tania Barricklo, Doug Short of Cable Channel 6, WKZE Radio, Polly M. Law - webmistress, Art Along The Hudson, WAMC Public Radio, Lighthouse TV23, Ulster County Tourism and The Dutchess County Arts Council. Also, our tour map advertisers and Saugerties village businesses that graciously allowed us to show our work in their windows and their help to distribute tour maps. Special thanks to: Tad and Pat Richards of Opus 40 for hosting a fabulous Gallery Show and Artists’ Reception, and our families, friends and supporters, who are too numerous to mention. We couldn’t have done it without your help.
Barbara Bravo
Tour coordinator
Saugerties Artists Studio Tour
The business administrator is in charge of a $50 million dollar budget. They can't pay him enough to work with the yahoos running the school district into the ground.