How much change should be expected of an existing residential community to accommodate a new business? The homeowners and residents of Millrock Road believe that too much has been taken away from them. The responses in favor of the Main Course operating under duress caused by these homeowners and residents has cast us in a bad and unfair light. Perhaps if the restaurant reviews were replaced by facts, the situation would be better understood.
Mr. Kazan met with the homeowners near his newly purchased building and assured them his only intention was to open a catering facility. He said he would not have a restaurant or dining facility of any kind, nor would there be take-out. In January 2008, Mr. Kazan appeared at a Village of New Paltz Planning Board meeting and requested a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a commercial/commissary kitchen limited to catering only. In December 2008, he applied for and received another SUP for a doctor/baker who would make artisan bread on the premises. What was to be catering only has morphed into a dining facility with tables and chairs, as well as take-out. Although it was stated at the February 2008 Village of New Paltz Planning Board meeting that there is "no intent to use the front area as an outdoor caf￩," the patio which was said to "mitigate impacts between the building and the site" is now a place for outdoor dining. According to Mr. Kazan, deliveries were to be made before 10 a.m. and the kitchen would close between 5-6 p.m. This doesn't happen. Deliveries are made any time of the day and many trucks come down Millrock Road and often do not unload in his inadequate parking lot. They use Millrock Road and Main Street. Since the Main Course closes at 9 p.m., the kitchen is open to prepare food much later than 6 p.m.
Thirteen cars can park in his parking lot. Obviously, these spaces are retained for his eat-in customers. According to information provided by Mr. Kazan, there are approximately 200 parking spaces available within a 400-foot radius of the Main Course. If this is so, instead of using Millrock Road as his parking lot and taking available space away form homeowners and residents, why doesn't his staff use other streets for their vehicles as well?
The Main Course has changed our street permanently. We now see and hear two-and-a-half ton delivery trucks on the street our children use for play, overflowing dumpsters emptied between 5:30 and 6 a.m. in violation of local ordinances for noise and appearance and cars illegally exiting onto Millrock Road. It was up to us to have a prohibited banner removed after it had been in place for months. We also had the village post no-parking signs near Main Street on Millrock Road to bring a modicum of safety for vehicles and pedestrians.
In a perfect world, the business owner would make concessions to the immediate neighborhood and they, in turn, would do the same. But this hasn't been perfect, not by a long shot. There's a saying that a man is judged by what he does, not by what he says.
Sandie Kaplan
New Paltz
School board actions in questions
I was appalled as I watched the Oct. 21 New Paltz School Board meeting. Trustee Edgar Rodriguez, taking his responsibility to the entire community seriously, has been met with extraordinary disdain, reproach and condescension. His detractors among the other board members can only fault his tenacity in trying to fully represent the financial impact the proposed renovation of the New Paltz Middle School would have on the taxpayers of the community. He stated that he struggles with balancing his fiduciary responsibility to the people of the district with his concern for the education of the students. Isn't that exactly what we would expect of the person we elected to this board? I cannot recall any board member over the last several years having to endure such swift, loud, censure, time and time again, for his views on controversial subjects. Why do these board members feel entitled to behave this way? It's obvious that Edgar Rodriguez is an intelligent person whose motivation is to serve the community.
I cannot recall a time when school board members have been permitted to publicly disparage another individual board member while in public session and permitting these comments to become part of the public record and broadcast. The discussion of their personal opinions of Trustee Rodriguez' approach to his responsibilities should have been summarily curtailed and revisited in a more appropriate, private venue. Judging by what the community witnessed in this recording, I can completely understand why Trustee Rodriguez would be reluctant to go into executive session with this board. One might suppose the motivation might be to encourage this man to fall back into line with the majority.
At no time during this board meeting did Trustee Rodriguez advocate that community members vote in a particular way. To the contrary, it was obvious that he wanted to fully inform his constituency so that they can make their own informed choice. To suggest otherwise was a misrepresentation.
I heard references to the Board of Education being a team. I don't think the game analogy fits here. A school board is a representative form of government tasked with representing the entire community's interests, maintaining fiduciary responsibility over its finances and property, improve the education of the children of the community and, more importantly, it has an obligation to fulfill the public trust. What I heard in this meeting was an individual struggling to fully and transparently inform the public about the burden they are about to be asked to assume. For this, he was openly berated and criticized. When Trustee Rodriguez suggests that this condescending, scolding and retaliative tone is attributable to racism, I can see how he came to that conclusion. When a member of the board thought it necessary to formally enter the accusation into the board minutes, I thought he missed an opportunity. If racism is as abhorrent to the members of my Board of Education as they say it is, why not seize the opportunity to engage in the anti-racist effort in Ulster County by taking the undoing racism course. I did and I know I am the better for it. What's stopping the New Paltz Board of Education members from calling the Human Relations Commission in Ulster County and getting started? Maybe it's the same thing that motivates them to repeatedly vilify Edgar Rodriguez. Isn't that a shame?
I'm hoping for a more enlightened Board of Education process.
Richard Morris
New Paltz
The tax burden is on Gardiner residents
On Monday, Oct. 19, Gardiner had a hearing on the 2010 budget. Gardiner residents were so interested in the 2010 budget that only ten residents showed up for the meeting. Mark my words, in 2010 they will pay for it in the form of higher taxes. The town supervisor presented, in his words, a bare-knuckles budget. When he finished presenting the 2010 budget, I don't know whose knuckles were bare, his or the town residents. To me it sounded like there was a lot of pork in the barrel he presented. When he was asked simple questions, he either gave the same old answer, "I don't know" or "I will have to look into it," and he seemed highly annoyed. Here is a man who is supposed to be running a town with 6,000 people and "I don't know" or "I have no control over certain departments" seems to be the only answers he gives to questions. He is either hiding something or stretching the truth, if that is what he knows the truth to mean. He keeps saying that he has no control of certain department budgets and how they spend it and what they spend it on. I have seen a lot of equipment in certain departments that are all brand new. When I ask one of the heads of the department what happened to the old equipment or if it was working properly, he said it was working, but every so often they get rid of the old and buy new whether they need it or not.
If you look around you will see that I am telling the truth. In the end the taxpayers are going to pay for the Town Board's (to me) irresponsible spending and management. At the end of the meeting the town supervisor came out and said that taxes will be raised. About two weeks ago he said he will not let politics interfere with town government. To me that is the furthest thing from the truth. Gardiner town government seems to cater to a political minority, which has power and money to back it. From what I can see there are three different groups which have political pull in this town. The town supervisor also said that he will ease the tax burden on Gardiner town residents. On the other hand he came out and said they have to raise taxes. One thing I cannot understand is how can you ease the tax burden if you are constantly raising taxes each year. To me that is the furthest thing from the truth.
The town supervisor cannot take all the blame. I blame the town residents for voting these characters into office. Next year seems like it is going to be the same old thing. The more things change, the more they are going to stay the same -- the ever-bearing burden on Gardiner residents. I try to warn a lot of residents, but my words seems to fall on deaf ears. Remember you will only get what you deserve -- higher taxes.
Henry V. Tortora
Gardiner
Edgar Rodriguez is not a "lone voice" In March 2008, the New Paltz School District Office was never part of the renovation plan in the 1930's middle school building. The size of the present middle school is sufficient for the present enrollment, as well as for the projected number. Look at nearby neighboring school districts and they all have middle school's built in the 1930's, which are all currently being used. To name a few, there is Wallkill, Marlboro and Highland. I'm sure there are more if you choose to look around.
In these difficult times of the economy, people are struggling to keep their homes, put food on the table and pay bills that are necessary. They do not have money to spend on such an elaborate renovation when enrollment is not of the essence. This plan is a huge mistake. Is there not available land at Lenape for a district office to be built? I also question, is the state going to fund 60% of the space used by district office in the middle school building? The plan of putting a parking lot in front of the middle school will certainly be taking away the beauty of this building. The fencing as it is takes this away! Will any of the trees be cut down for a parking lot? By putting the district office out of town would remove a measurable amount of traffic in the already congested area. I feel this would cost the taxpayer less money. Less renovation in a building already meant for classrooms, plus, building a district office meant for offices. The school was designed and built for students, not offices.
I am most thankful to Edgar Rodriguez for his voice on the School Board; he speaks for many and is not a "lone voice." A project which could cost as much as $52 million over a 20-year period is just out of the question. I cannot vote to approve any plan of this magnitude, plus, putting the district office in the plans of the renovating of the middle school. Please think this over carefully and get out and vote in February.
Margaret A. LaMark
Gardiner
More park access is needed
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve Master Plan Draft was just up for public review at SUNY. There was a good turnout and many attendees made logical requests for increased access to the natural resources within the Park Preserve. I was particularly impressed by the desire of user groups -- primarily hikers, skiers, climbers, bikers, and swimmers -- to offer their services in order to help with the maintenance and preservation of the natural resources within the park.
With the State cutting budgets to the bone, having help from the public could go a long way to making the unaffordable, affordable. Isn't it in the best interests of the communities surrounding Minnewaska to encourage the full utilization of the resources of the Park Preserve while keeping a careful eye on sustainability?
The positive effects of the Park Preserve on our communities is, or could become that much greater if the Palisades Interstate Park Commission decided that "the crown jewel" (Governor Cuomo's words) of the New York State park system was made more accessible.
However, I was puzzled by who was absent from the public comment session. I didn't hear any town supervisors, local legislators, business or religious organizations speak. I am sure that these leaders know the value of the park to our communities in economic terms. What they may be missing is how much this park means to us in emotional terms. The love that the people in that room had for Minnewaska was palpable. If these leaders knew how deeply their communities care about the park, they would become more engaged in trying to preserve it and enhance access to it. The love and understanding of nature -- and the love and understanding of our human nature -- is critical to our survival.
It is not to late to submit written comments to the PIPC, but time is running out. The deadline is Nov. 13.
Rich Gottlieb
New Paltz
Congrats to the members of the Climate Action Coalition
The members of the New Paltz Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee extend our hearty congratulations to Ann Guenther, Ariana Basco and other members of the Climate Action Coalition for putting on the 350 Climate Action Fair at Hasbrouck Park on Saturday, Oct. 24. They were good-spirited even in the face of constant rain for much of the day and, wow, so many people turned up that we stood two abreast for the photo of the group forming the number 350.
We also want to extend a special thanks to the more than 50 people who took up our challenge to make revolutions around the park to show support for efforts to bring the CO2 molecules in our atmosphere to fewer than 350 parts per million. By the end of the day, over 130 revolutions had been logged.
New Paltz Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee
Now is not the time
It's going to take $45.5 million, plus another $6.6 million for a total of $51.6 million dollars to renovate the New Paltz Middle School.
The school board says that 60% of that will be covered by the state, not to worry. New Paltz taxpayers have to just pay a mere $75-$84 increase in your taxes. That has always been their 'feel good' approach. Let's 'do it for the kids'. How can you deny them? You would feel like a criminal not to.
But the criminal thing here is that all that state money that you 'don't have to worry about' is coming from New York State taxpayers; that's us, too, New Paltz. And so, while you're feeling pretty good about getting an amphitheater for a middle school, the parents in Schenectady with three kids are living paycheck to paycheck, the senior in Albany can't make ends meet and the young husband in Oswego, who luckily just found a part-time job, are all trying to figure out why state taxes are so high in New York.
The board has $4 million in their coffers, from our over-payment of taxes which they refused to return to us. Spend that, and only that, for the most pressing needs. In light of these hard times, wouldn't that be the common sense approach?
Vote "no" for the middle school renovation. Now is not the time.
Paula McGee
New Paltz
Do we have to fear our roads? Didn't have enough terror from your Halloween festivities? Drive on Libertyville Road between Route 299 in the Town of New Paltz and Albany Post Road. The county is resurfacing the road and has been foolish enough to allow traffic as usual to use the unfinished road. I had the misfortune to drive it last Saturday night, through heavy rain and fog, on a road without a center line or fog line, heavily rutted and with loose pebbles. By the time I realized that I was in grave danger, driving at 30 mph, I was so far in that I decided to keep on. While braking in a section where I couldn't figure out where I was on the road (that is, in my lane or the opposite lane), my car slid sideways.
I drove again on Monday, trusting that the road was better. If you want to check out your struts, try those ruts perpendicular to your travel direction. Today I went on Albany Post Road to Route 299 to get into New Paltz. I don't like to drive Albany Post at night because it lacks any painted lines, but I'll do it until I am convinced that the "resurfaced" Libertyville Road is a true road again.
When the section south of this section was resurfaced several years ago, I don't remember such a terrifying, dangerous road. This is a road I travel several times a week from Gardiner to New Paltz and beyond. I drove on Albany Post Road (west section) while it was being resurfaced and found it annoying, but not dangerous. What is the problem with this resurfacing? I should like to know why the county didn't close the road and limit it to local traffic. This would be safer for us motorists and motorcyclists, as well as for the road workers.
Perhaps the message I left with the complaints section at the county highway department will lead to an answer for this question, but I'm still waiting for that call.
It's bad enough that we live in fear of deer racing out to hit our cars (I just collided with a third deer this year. Total repair costs have topped $5,000). Do we have to fear our roads as well?
Andi Weiss Bartczak
Gardiner
Bruce Kazan is not a good neighbor
Two points are in order regarding the 10/15 and 10/29 letters from Alex Mazur supporting Main Course and suggesting that Millrock Road residents have not been good neighbors. First, Mr. Mazur is the brother-in-law of Main Course's owner, Bruce Kazan. While it is fine to support one's family member, readers should know of that close family relationship so they can evaluate his letters in the proper context.
Second, Mr. Mazur's accusation that my 10/15 letter was "the first time that anyone's opposition (including the Mayor's) has risen above the level of anonymous threats and harassment, vilification, name calling and underhanded backroom politics" is false. Many Millrock Road neighbors have very publicly spoken out against Main Course's actions during Planning Board meetings. We have not engaged in any "anonymous threats and harassment" or "underhanded backroom politics." To the contrary. It was Main Course that reached a non-public agreement with the Planning Board after suing the Planning Board to allow on-site dining. That agreement was reached outside the public planning process and more closely resembles "backroom politics" than any of our public opposition.
From the outset of the Planning Board process, beginning almost two years ago, Mr. Kazan and his representatives have belittled, mocked and distorted the concerns expressed by his Millrock Road neighbors. It is against that backdrop that I assert that he has not been a good neighbor.
Chris Watkins
New Paltz
Lauren soars The photo from the 350 Climate Change Fair that was on the front page of the New Paltz Times last week was sooo fun to see. All those people gathered to make a point!
The real star of the photo, though, was photographer Lauren Thomas, who was in a bucket and suspended so far above us we could barely make her out. She was so intent on getting a good photo that I'm not sure she realized how really high she was until it was all over. Heroic, Lauren. And thanks!
Judy Reichler
New Paltz
It's not "Libertville, it's Libertyville!" As a lifelong resident of Libertyville Road, I like to think that I know pretty much everything about it. However, there was one thing I missed all these years and it was right in front of me, staring me down whenever I take the left hand turn onto good ol' Libertyville.
Now, it's not really a "thing" for most people, but it happens to bug me. Here's my problem: the road sign is spelled "Libertville," which, unless I'm completely mistaken, isn't the correct way to spell it. So, not to be nit-picky or anything, and apologies to whoever types out the road names on the signs, but could you please fix it? And just so you don't have to throw out the old misspelled one, I'll take it off your hands and donate it to the good folks who live on "Libertville Road, New Platz, New Yorc."
Aaron Munzer
"Libertville Road"
New Paltz
Open letter to the New Paltz Board of Education
I am very disheartened and disturbed by the recent tirade against school board member Edgar Rodriguez at the end of the last board meeting. Your behavior towards him throughout the meeting was extremely rude.
You have each been elected due to various merits and perspectives and I really have appreciated the differences among you at various times. You are not a team, elected to come to the table with all the same views and knowledge base, otherwise we could elect just one of you.
On the middle school issue there seems to be a lot of confusion over what the community will support. When hearings were held as to whether or not to keep the middle school in its present location, the community was firm about wanting it in the same location. That is not to say that they were necessarily for this level of renovation and the associated costs. One school board member said we could spend the $52 million on this building for a simple increase of $8 a month in our taxes. I also have a bridge to sell in Brooklyn. So far I've heard that if you note the monthly expense, you might want to also note that this is an increasing monthly expense which amounts to $96/year for the first year, $200/year for the second year; etc. We need real figures to make a decision, which is exactly what Edgar was trying to find out when attacked. Frankly, even these figures leave me wondering about whether I can sell that bridge.
If the middle school is somehow unsafe, I would like to see the reports that indicate such and also the reports that recommend the type of remediation that is necessary to correct the specific safety issue (not a wish list, but necessity). I have never seen a report that stated the school was unsafe in any way, just that it needed a few repairs. No one would argue that the building is not aesthetically pleasing, but does that necessitate the spending of $52 million? I have grave concerns about the associated costs, as do the many people in this community I have already spoken to. At age 53, I am concerned that my family will find it necessary to move when retired due to the associated costs of this school district. If my family is thinking this way, you can rest assured that others are also struggling with the same concern, especially those who may have a more limited income.
Once again, at the end of the day, we are all neighbors. Neighbors with the same concerns for our children, our families, our jobs and our health. It is very upsetting to me to view this school board behaving in this manner.
I am well aware of what currently passes as acceptable behavior in politics these days (the lowest common denominator), but I really expect more of my school board, considering that you hopefully will be role models for our students. It is one thing to disagree, but the level of rudeness is really unacceptable. It is possible for good people to disagree without painting each other as evil. I'm tiring of the antagonism, cutting each other off and bullying that I've witnessed. Edgar's comment about this board needing to attend the Undoing Racism class made total sense to me. If I were Edgar, I would suggest the same thing to you. Let's try to be more concerned with the overall climate and less concerned about the personal power issues.
I'm pleading for a return to civility. I believe civility and kindness is more important than whether or not we have a new middle school building. At the end of the day people are more important than buildings. I can accept whatever way the issue of the middle school is resolved. What I can't accept is the repeated attacks on a specific board member. It does come across as very personal.
Nora Strano
New Paltz
Coming together to address the climate crisis
On Oct. 24, on a windy and rainy day, people of New Paltz came out in raincoats and waders to help celebrate the 350 Climate Action Fair at Hasbrouck Park, an event that was taking place all around the world to demand that world leaders work immediately to solve the climate crisis.
Inside the big tent, environmental activists, scientists, farmers and citizens concerned with the effects of elevated levels of CO2 to our planet talked with each other about what could be done. The music of Rat Boy Jr., Soul Purpose, New Paltz High School's Pistols for Pandas and Betty and the Baby Boomers figuratively blew the top off the tent. It was a marvelous day; weather be damned.
All of this was possible because of the support of sponsors who believed in us and gave us hope that we could pull off this event. Some days, it seemed like one or more of us spent more time at PDQ's than we did at home. P&G's displayed our beautiful banner on their roof. The New Paltz Times was the tie that helped bind us to the community. Main Course was in the tent with free and delicious soup made from local ingredients, and Brook Farm displayed a beautiful array of fresh produce as an example of one of the many benefits of buying locally.
Other generous sponsors were SOLARgeneration of Woodstock, Dedrick's Pharmacy and Gifts, Justin Peone Consulting, New Paltz Tru Value Hardware, Ulster Savings Bank, The Health & Nutrition Center, Handmade & More, Rhinebeck Artists Shop, Hudson Valley Materials Exchange, Greenworks, Day-in-the-Shade Tent Company and Snug Harbor Bar and Grill. Orelle Feher was the first to make a donation, hers in honor of her mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Gordon Gottlieb, for their passion and concern for the earth.
As 3:50 p.m. approached, Soul Purpose's brass section led the fair participants in a parade from the tent to the culminating event: A picture taken by Lauren Thomas from the New Paltz Times. Dietz Tree Service took Lauren up in the bucket and she took the picture that you may have seen in last week's New Paltz Times: people crowded together to spell out the numbers 350.
This photo is posted along with many others from around the globe at www.350.org and at http://www.repoweramerica.org/us/wall#/view/7982.
Thank you all so much.
Charlene Dye
SUNY NYPIRG
and all the hard-working members of the Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz.
More thanks
On Saturday, Oct. 24, members of the Mid-Hudson Valley who are concerned about the fragile state of the earth's ecosystems joined together to learn more about what they could do to lesson their carbon footprint on the planet. Information about possible solutions was shared and many people (including myself) left with a new determination to make a positive environmental change in their lifestyles.
Much of the success of the 350 Climate Action Fair depended on the help of local businesses, organizations and individuals. The list of sponsors and supporters is so long that we've had to divide up our thanks into two letters. But isn't it wonderful that it takes more than 500 words to thank everyone?
First, we want to recognize The Village of New Paltz and the Town of New Paltz and their Environmental Conservation Board for their strong support of the fair and the work of the Climate Action Coalition.
Delicious apples and cider came from Jenkins & Luekens Orchard, Hurd's Family Farm, Dressel Farms, Springtown Sweetview Farms, Libertyview Farms and Breezy Hill Orchards.
The free raffle, announced ever half hour, provided prizes and gift certificates donated by Rock and Snow, New Paltz Outfitters, Imperial Jewelers, Enchanted Toys, Manny's Art Supplies, The Bakery, Gadaletos Seafood, The Bistro, 60 Main, Colonial Flower Shop, Tress Olay Hair Stylists, Integral Builders and Mohonk Mountain House.
Organizations that supported the 350 fair are Wild Earth Wilderness School, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Sierra Club, Concerned Citizens Coalition of New Paltz, Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, League of Women Voters and Elting Memorial Library.
We want to thank all the volunteers, especially those New Paltz High School and SUNY students who worked so hard with the mundane but necessary chores it took to put this together. It was heartening to see these young people, the next generation, working to make our planet healthy. The energy they brought to the fair was the heartbeat that kept us going on Saturday.
AND FINALLY! TO THE BIG EVENT: THE 350 PHOTO! We want to thank Dietz Tree Service for bringing their truck so that Lauren Thomas from the New Paltz Times could ride up in the bucket from which she took the picture of fair goers crowded together to spell out the numbers 350 on the Hasbrouck Park field.
Thank you all.
Ann Guenther
SUNY NYPIRG
and all the others who make up the Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz
Protect Minnewaska's biodiversity and ecosystem
Unreported in Erin Quinn's article on the public hearing of Minnewaska State Park Preserve's Draft Management Plan were the six or seven citizen comments highlighting the need for protection of Minnewaska's biodiversity and ecosystem. The Shawangunks are dying. Our chestnut oak forests can't regenerate, ground-nesting songbird habitat is being lost, biodiversity is crashing and deer-resistant native plants and invasive species are consuming the forest understory. We simply have too many white-tailed deer.
Ideally, Minnewaska -- the entire ridge -- ought to be shut down entirely for recreation, the deer herd reduced to an ecologically sustainable number, invasive plants pulled and wiped out, and the native understory be permitted to recover fully above the deer browse-line. Invasive species take hold and spread from disturbed habitat: road shoulders, parking lots, carriage roads, cliff edges, hiking and social trails. From these locations, it's an easy route into an understory browsed-out of its native flora.
The lower elevations of the Shawangunk watershed are already thigh-deep in an aggressive invasive plant called Japanese stilt grass. It is in the rail-trails ringing the ridge. It is in the D & H canal. It has overtaken the flood plain of the northern Coxing Kill in the Clove Valley. It is spreading up the ridge's carriage roads to higher elevations. Last week it was found in Save the Ridge's primary preservation target: the relatively unspoiled reaches of the Palmaghatt Ravine. And it has crept past Awosting Falls, up the Peterskill into the heart of Minnewaska, where last year's 4,000-acre burn area lies vulnerably in its path.
With all due respect to Minnewaska's attempts at ecosystem recovery, they have so far proven to be patchy and half-realized: under-utilization of hunters to reduce the deer herd; failure to protect last year's burn area with a deer exclosure, as Pennsylvania is employing for forest regeneration around its state timber harvests, some as large as 17,000 acres; failure to adopt the Department of Environmental Conservation's use of sheep and goats to control invasives. As well, human volunteers and border collies have been used successfully to systematically haze elk from residential areas; border collies are being used to protect commercial crops, nurseries, and airports from deer. Minnewaska has an opportunity to adapt these wildlife hazing methods and protocols for habitat recovery in the Preserve.
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) and the managers of Minnewaska have no greater responsibility to this and to future generations than to protect and preserve PIPC's "flagship" ecosystem. As a life-long ridge recreationist and volunteer who has had the privilege to collaborate extensively with Minnewaska's managers, as I outlined in my statement at the hearing, as I will be submitting in my written statement to PIPC officials and as I am encouraging recreation groups to reinforce before the Nov. 13 public comment deadline, there is no higher priority than strengthening Minnewaska's commitment to its charter -- as a nature preserve. Recreation is secondary.
Expanded recreation access is pyrrhic if we allow Minnewaska's ecosystem to die.
Christopher Spatz
Rosendale
What is her mission? It is important to refute the erroneous assertions of Susan Wick regarding the tax exemptions of the Mohonk Preserve in her recent letter to the New Paltz Times.
Along with the Ashokan Reservoir, Minnewaska State Park, many square miles of Catskill State Park Forest Preserve, Tongore Park, Moriello Pool, miles of New York City Water Supply aqueduct, innumerable churches and of course all of our school buildings, public and private, our libraries, and roads and sidewalks -- the Mohonk Preserve is tax exempt. And, like many, but not all of the aforementioned entities, the Mohonk Preserve provides major forms of access to the public. Unlike the public entities mentioned, the Preserve pays for its own management expenses, largely through generous donations and from usage fees. It does, in a close working relationship with 35 neighboring schools, provide educational programs, but unlike the schools with their in-house services, the Preserve shoulders a major share of the expenses for providing such opportunities. About $18,000 is provided to the Preserve to service about 3,000 students -- this amounts to $6 per student. This $18,000 is 0.7% of the Preserve's operating budget. These programs are an integral part of the curriculum. The actual cost to the Preserve of providing these educational opportunities is several times that of the income received -- thus the Preserve is subsidizing the 35 neighboring schools in a component of their curriculum. The Preserve, along with Minnewaska State Park, the Catskill Forest Preserve and many other tracts of open space, also provide incredible tourist/recreational attractions that nurture our residents and bring income to our localities, as well as provide a comforting scenic background to those of us who have positioned our homes as to avail ourselves of such. All of our local residents can enjoy our scenery as we drive through Ulster County on our way to and from work and school. I, for one, hunt, fish, climb, ski, hike, bike and bird watch every day on these lands. So, these tax exempt parcels give to our residents an enormous benefit.
Further, many studies have shown that unrestricted development on such exempted land can often increase the tax burden upon the rest of the populace because of the increased services required exceeding the increase in tax revenue. The New York State Office of Real Property has ranked Ulster County in the bottom tier of percentage of exempted properties per total property value. By no measure would the Preserve's undeveloped land ever be assessed at $11 million -- even if it was that total assessment would make no more than a percent or two reduction in school and property tax burden to those in the towns which have Preserve lands within their borders. However, the loss in quality of life should there not be such parcels of land set aside would be enormous to most residents.
Not to be overlooked in this argument is that, as far as I know, Susan Wick pays NO taxes in any district that contains Preserve property. What is her mission, I wonder?
Claude Suhl
High Falls
Searching for Rivendell
My wife and I were planning a day trip from our home in Westchester County to Rivendell Winery on Oct. 31. We had visited last year and enjoyed the area very much. I went on their website the night before to get their address so I could plug it into my GPS before we left. To my great disappointment I discovered they had closed. What was more disturbing was the reason why they had closed. I feel the Town of New Paltz is being very narrow minded with the decision they made. I have no reason to go to New Paltz now and will spend my money elsewhere in the lower New York State wine country.
John Tedesco
Ossining
Reverse trick or treating
For Halloween, I did something called "Reverse Trick or Treating." Reverse Trick or Treating is when you go door to door and get your candy, and you give the person back a piece of fair trade chocolate and a card of information about it. Fair trade is when the people who make the product get a good amount of money to feed their family and are treated fairly. For instance, some children are used for child labor and get basically nothing back. It's not fair, right? I want to stop that. Probably most people do too. So a way that I'm doing that is Reverse Trick or Treating. Hopefully, you can help support fair trade products. You can go to www.ReverseTrickorTreating.org for more information.
Maya Gold, age 9
New Paltz
Awesome eats at the Main Course
I recently had the pleasure of eating at the new Main Course with my wife and another couple. And, we were very pleased. In these difficult times, it is important to think carefully about where you are spending your hard-earned dollars. I try to look for businesses that are local, that create local jobs and that use Hudson Valley-based products.
I am aware that there has been some conflict regarding the location of the new Main Course. Regardless, the establishment is here, it is open and is an fine example of a sustainable food outlet. Bruce, welcome and thanks for the awesome eats!
Glenn Gidaly
New Paltz
Put the New Paltz Middle School project on a shelf
I would like to thank Edgar Rodriguez for being the only New Paltz School Board member to understand the magnitude of the recession and the poor timing of the middle school project. I know MANY people who are experiencing financial trauma; lost jobs, lost health care benefits, lost homes, business owners laying off most of their employees and pulling double duty to keep their doors from closing, not getting paid by customers and banks barely lending. Cash has not been flowing since last summer, before the media broadcast this downturn and Wall Street took a dive.
As reported in the Hudson Valley Business Journal Oct. 26 issue, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the state is experiencing a severe deficit. Current projections are a $3 billion deficit that may actually reach $4.1 billion by the end of the year (two months). The state's revenue base has changed, revenue is falling. Tax revenue is down $3.6 million as of Sept. 2009 as compared to Sept. 2008, which is mostly from "weak personal income tax collections." The state is in trouble, many individuals are in trouble.
New York State being in trouble means less money to the school district, even if no one in New Paltz was ever touched by the poor economy. Any money counted on from the state is just air. People are not coming out to the middle school meetings because they are shell shocked, over worked or suffering alone. A few weeks ago, the New Paltz Times announced the middle school meeting. What struck me was the front cover also announced a walk for hunger. How bizarre. Food pantries have empty shelves and there are now people begging on our streets. What goes up, must come down (and came down hard), and will go up again.
The current report that the economy is in an upswing is bogus statistics. The 14.7% growth in exports is due to the dollar taking a nosedive and dollar for dollar we still lose. Almost half of the increase in spending was due to automobile sales resulting from the 'cash for clunkers.' Edmunds.com estimated the cost to taxpayers per car was $24,000. How is that growth? Our economy will recover, but we cannot break the backs of New Paltz residents for something that can wait a little. The School Board has done a good job, but needs to put this project on a shelf until the economy stabilizes.
Carol Connolly
New Paltz
Random act of kindness
I was very touched this weekend by a selfless act of kindness. I am sure this person will probably never see this letter, but I felt the need to write. Last Saturday, I was helping my daughter and some of her teammates collect money with a can shake outside the New Paltz ShopRite. Many shoppers were very generous and we would like to thank them for their contributions. A homeless man carrying a sign asking to work for food and a board stating that he was a Vietnam vet came up to me and handed me a dollar. I told him, "Thanks, but please keep it."
He said with a smile, "No, please take it. It's for the children."
This brought a tear to my eye, as someone who had nothing, gave maybe his only dollar to help out the children. I hope that now, especially as the holiday season is fast approaching, that we follow this random act of kindness and remember those less fortunate and help them in any way possible -- even if it is only with a kind smile when they look in our direction.
Pam Pece, Assistant Coach
New Paltz Pop Warner Cheerleading
An open letter to Barbara Hardgrave
I do support Elting and believe that giving it appropriate funding is essential. However, I recognize that there is a distinction between your budget being available for public review and it being subject to public approval. No one has explained to me why Prop 414 couldn't have been worded to expire in a year, giving the library time to look at public funding options which would allow it to avoid the political realities of the town's budget process.
I look forward to such a day.
Terence Ward
New Paltz
Living in New Paltz -- does it get any better? What an unbelievable last week for New Paltz. It started out last Saturday with a well-planned 350.org led by Ann Guenther and her committee working and planning for months and months. It rained most of the afternoon and to tell the truth, it was quite cozy and sweet for all the organizers and participants to be together under a big tent. Brian Oback did a great job at the mike and there were environmental speakers and New Paltz's most entertaining groups all through the afternoon. And the grand moment was New Paltz Times photographer Lauren Thomas going up bravely in a cherry picker to take a photo of New Paltz's finest citizens in a 350 formation, as shown on the cover of last week's paper.
This past Saturday was the Halloween parade with amazing costumes, the Night of 100 Pumpkins at the Bakery with clever and funny themed pumpkins by all ages and the New Paltz/Guenther/YMCA/Hasbrouck Park annual haunted house, scarier than usual with this year's theme of "Malice in Wonderland." All well-planned and well-attended. Each event had an organized team covering every detail and an even more willing crew of New Paltzians enjoying every moment. I know I did.
The hardest part was deciding which adult had the best costume -- from acupuncturist and Bike-Ped chair Bill Weinstein as Elvis, former Village of New Paltz Trustee (especially adored by the seniors) Mark Portier as Charlie Chaplin and green architect Richard Miller as the handsome movie and Broadway star Hugh Jackman direct from his 1998 Oklahoma. Now, I could not begin to keep track of them all -- the costumed ones were coming down Main Street 20 at a time -- adults and children too cute. Hundreds and hundreds of rows with several bands in between. Now that was a parade as only New Paltz could create.
The most unbelievable and poignant part of this week of activities is how many people are willing to be behind the scenes creating experiences for so many others. A beautiful balance of those giving and those receiving...And those planning and giving spared no detail too small to keep us thrilled, safe and happy.
And between all of this were the last apples of the season being picked at many Hudson Valley farms like Liberty View Farm and Hurd's Family Farm, the Hudson River Playback Theatre turning stories and experiences into theatre on the spot, the Mountain Laurel Waldorf School's eighth-grade presentation of A Midsummer's Night Dream and The Samuel Dorsky Museum at SUNY offering free docent-guided afternoon tours. And personally I was also phone banking to encourage voters to come out Tuesday -- every person I called was so nice and appreciative and will be going to vote Tuesday.
I cannot believe how blessed I am to live here in zip code 12561. Thank you to all those behind the scenes who created a great week. I know I am delivering many deeply appreciative thank you's to all the worker bees.
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
What a treat
I just want to say how delightful it was to have Mr. Kazan and his staff at the Main Course serving hot chocolate to the kids who came by on Halloween. My daughter and her friends loved it. Also Paul's Kitchen gave away treats and had UNICEF boxes out as well. I wish more local businesses would be so attuned to the kids and people in the village. Thanks again!
John Litton
New Paltz
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