I am submitting this letter in support of my wife Julliet Coxum for the New Paltz Central District School Board. I am not just sending this letter because Julliet is my wife, but because I truly feel that she is an excellent candidate for the school board. Not only is she very level headed and loyal, but she would be the breath of fresh air the board and New Paltz needs in these hard and trying times. She has nothing but the utmost love of New Paltz and the children who are in this district. Julliet is not a person who makes hasty decisions or one who goes with the flow. She is the type of person who will weigh all of the pros and cons and make the best decisions that make the least painful impact for everyone. She is also very creative and has an uncanny skill of seeing other ways to do things that most people would never think of. I believe that is a very important skill to have in today's current times and when we need new innovative thoughts and ideas to rectify situations.
She has proven her leadership skills in various ways in her years of experience as a Residence Hall Director at Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Cortland and SUNY New Paltz. She has also put these skills to use as a substitute teacher at Ulster County BOCES, as an employee at the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, and as a current employee of the New York State Center for School Safety. As my wife, she has with consistency positively guided the family in its endeavors and we continue to flourish under her direction. I have been with this wonderful woman for 24 years and married to her for 17 of those. Besides just a pretty face on the board, she is hardworking, driven, intelligent, and best of all, loyal. I know that she will convey and stand by all of the claims of her platform: proven leadership, valuing quality education, genuine concerns for the children in the New Paltz Central School District and fiscally responsible.
Someone like Julliet Coxum on the school board is what the New Paltz schools need in the 21st century. So, whether it is the budget, taxes, diversity, education issues or safety, Julliet is the person to be on the board to make the decisions on these issues concerning the citizens of New Paltz. I hope that on May 18 the citizens of New Paltz get out and vote the right choice. Julliet Coxum.
Johnny G. Coxum
New Paltz
A vote for Julliet Coxum
As a taxpayer and parent whose children are a product of the New Paltz school system, it is my concern that in the upcoming school board elections we taxpayers must go to the polls and elect the candidates who will truly represent our interests in terms of quality education across the board: dedicated teachers and administrators, strong curricula, safe and healthy environments, and, ultimately, high graduation rates and successful college admissions for all students. That is the charge to which newly elected members of the board and sitting incumbents must dedicate themselves first and foremost if they are to truly represent our interests, which in essence are the interests of the children of New Paltz.
The person I am supporting for a seat on the board in this upcoming election is Mrs. Julliet O. Coxum, a certified New York State Teacher, mother of two who are students in the New Paltz school system, well anchored in the skills of management as they relate to complex systems, and she holds a B.A. in communications from SUNY-New Paltz and a Masters degree from SUNY-Cortland. Presently, Mrs. Coxum is with the New York State Center for School Safety, and as a Comprehensive Health and Safety Trainer, she manages the Center's Extended School Day School Violence Prevention Program. Her personal vitae is replete with areas of expertise like Management, Counseling, Programming, Advising and Senior Trainer, all areas that mirror the kind of input necessary in running a complex educational system as that of New Paltz. When elected, such areas of expertise of Ms. Coxum will definitely complement, if not bolster, existing qualifications that others bring to the board.
Ms. Julliet O. Coxum is a warm, caring and devoted mother and spouse. But as well, Julliet is a fighter -- a fighter who will stand up for what is right and necessary in the education of tomorrow's leaders. Ms. Coxum is a fighter for the rights of our students! I can honestly say that it is her belief, and I concur, that you can judge the breadth of humanity in a community by how children are treated and how their interests are prioritized on a wish list. I am going to the polls to vote for that fighter...I am going to vote for Julliet O. Coxum.
A. J. Williams-Myers
New Paltz
Why re-elect me to the school board? Please vote again for me, Edgar Rodriguez, on May 18 for the position of school trustee of the NPCSD school board. If you re-elect me for a second term, I WILL continue my significant work on the board of balancing the needs of our students and community of taxpayers at an historical time of financial instability.
Some of my work on the school board includes current membership on the board's Audit and Finance Committee and being past chairperson of the board's Policy Committee. One of the qualities for which I am often noted is that of being the iconoclast, asking difficult questions and wanting in-depth answers. While some people may criticize this quality, I quote from a well-know and admired historic activist: "Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world´s estimation." -- Susan B. Anthony, reformer and suffragist -- (1820-1906).
In my second term as a board member I promise the following: I will vote no to school debt; support that middle school maintenance and repairs be done now; advocate for including community in common-sense decision making; and promote programs to end student drug/alcohol abuse, a closeted problem in our district. Most immediately I will continue to pursue and support a school district decision-making policy that incorporates the collective wisdom of the community, particularly in the area of facility repairs and maintenance for all buildings. We have great professional building expertise in our community that is available to us and several of them should be an official part of the board's Facilities Committee, like the community members we have on the board's Audit Committee. We should also have community building professionals on the Comprehensive Facilities Plan Committee which is being developed. Not only will we benefit from their hands-on wisdom, but we will get professional input that saves us money usually spent on outside contractors. We need to count on our local resources because the last group of paid professional consultants failed the school district. They led to a loss of district credibility when the middle school bond referendum of almost $50 million dollars plus $26 million in interest received a massive defeat at the voting poll.
I would like to promote responsible school spending and limit school tax levy increases and debt. We need to seek a less expensive educational model that still provides high quality education by developing a comprehensive education plan that is first driven by a new 21st-century educational model. It is that model that should determine our facility needs which then establishes our financial needs.
For me, community service is an important societal and personal value and I like to lead by example. Since 1973 I have served as parent classroom volunteer, trip chaperon and as an active member of all four PTA's. I have sat on many committees as a parent and as a community member such as four out of the five Shared Decision-Making committees, the Comprehensive District Education Plan Committee and the New Paltz High School Scholarship Committee. In all these efforts I have promoted and participated in school academic and cultural activities. Currently, I am proud of the work that I am doing with the district Diversity Committee. After serving for 37 years as a volunteer, I am looking forward to another three-year term to complete 40 years as a school volunteer and maybe then I can really retire, hopefully completing the work I have started. Of course my children may always surprise me with earlier than anticipated grand fatherhood causing me to return at least as a parent classroom volunteer.
Since I am at the end of my three-year term it is a fair question of the voter to ask why should Edgar Rodriguez be re-elected and what exactly is his track record? There are many reasons to support my re-election, but it would take another letter to the editor that I will provide to the New Paltz Times publication in the next issue, which is for May 13. In the meantime, I welcome you to call me at 255-9652, or (787) 550-1052 (cell) or to e-mail me at edgarrodriguez7@msn.com. And let me invite you to a community gathering to meet and talk with me on May 10 at the new Community Center behind the New Paltz Town Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. Thank you for your time and possible vote.
Edgar Rodriguez
New Paltz School Board Candidate
We are in a crisis
Once again we have entered our local school district election season. We are in crisis in New Paltz, as evidenced by the number of candidates who have thrown their hat into the ring.
The $50 million referendum vote made that crises clearly known. No longer can board and district decision-makers pretend that we, the public, are able or willing to keep funding excessive wish lists of this district. However, some people still try to wear those blinders. Witness the comments by Steve Greenfield at the Facilities Committee yesterday where he questioned who the public was and were the 2,500 people who voted "no" in March, 2010 really the public? Or the teachers union president who blithely stated that the teachers were the community, as if they were the majority of the community and there were no other members of the district with valid concerns. These teachers who individually make, on average $73,000 salary plus $30,000.00/year in benefits, feel comfortable making such statements when the average household income in the county is only $45,000. Such thinking is myopic at best. So where am I going now?
There is only one person who is known to us in the election who has the courage to stand up and confront such blatant denial of economic realities. It is Edgar Rodriguez, our current board member who is up for re-election. Edgar has demonstrated time and again his strong value of listening to the whole community. He has taken major insults, publicly and privately, as other board members tried to embarrass or threaten him to bring him to heel on issues he felt were not being reasonably investigated and decisions that were not beneficial to students or community.
The $50 million referendum is only one of these. This can only be interpreted as the total lack of concern by others for the financial survival of the community, as well as its children. Let's remember that a child's household that is stressed by loss of income with concomitant problems of loss of comfort and safety does not benefit by foolish spending decisions.
I am also impressed by Dr. Rodriguez's strong educational background that covers so many areas of educational importance. His educational philosophy, which is based on humanistic values of inclusion, recognizes the impact of respect, or lack of it, on students' performance. He also seems to be unique in being able to keep all the balls in the air while he evaluates the different issues that come up for decision-making in the school district. One topic of current discussion is the budget and our educational future costs. He has been sounding the alarm since last year about the district's inability to afford our current educational delivery system. We argue about the community's refusal to pay tax increases this year and how to put forth a budget, but there has been no discussion on how to create high quality education while cutting costs. My discussions with Edgar Rodriguez have often focused on ways to alter the delivery system, such as putting seniors out into the community in hands-on learning environments, using the colleges for academic work for many of our students, or possibly a four-day school week.
While most of the other candidates seem to have genuine concerns that motivate them to run for the school board, they seem to lack real insight into education and how different delivery systems impact students. Financial decisions are a major concern, but they need to be integrated into a level of expertise and knowledge. We are in a crisis today and we do not have time for people to develop their learning curve.
The only other candidate that speaks to these concerns is Julliet Coxum. Although a newcomer to the electoral process, Julliet Coxum is not a newcomer to educational systems. Her background is replete with leadership and decision-making roles. She is unique in her experience of working directly with students and student programs, particularly on issues of violence. This expertise can offer the district insight into grant programs that will benefit our district, as well as the hands-on knowledge for developing and evaluating programs. I find her expertise to dovetail well with Edgar Rodriguez's concerns about the hidden issue of drug and alcohol abuse in our schools.
A current parent of two students, she has great understanding of the many diversity issues that concern us. Using her mediation and leadership skills, I am confident that she would be able to lead us through some difficult discussions -- providing understanding, research and level headedness. When I think of Julliet, it is adjectives like honest, thoughtful, forthright and civil that come to mind.
So this year my two votes will go for Edgar Rodriguez, incumbent and Julliet Coxum. While not running as a team, I feel they will give us good teamwork by example on this school board, engaging in meaningful dialogue that explores our school districts issues deeply while listening to the voice of the community and taxpayers.
Please come out to vote on May 18 and vote for Edgar Rodriguez and Julliet Coxum
Tanya Marquette
Gardiner
The voice of reason is Edgar Rodriguez
My two daughters are products of the New Paltz school system, from middle school through high school, and both graduated to a college setting. Much of their success at school, in addition to what they acquired at home, was as a result of excellence in the school district in teaching, management and school safety, both in the physical plant and student health. The concerns then, when my girls were in school, are the same concerns today, though a bit more enhanced due to budgetary constraints. These are the issues that will confront the voters as they go to the polls to elect candidates to the New Paltz School Board.
In light of the budgetary crisis and the debate swirling around the physical plant of the middle school and a lapse in focused management across the school district, there is need for dedicated board members who are willing to stand up for the interests of our students and the system that educates them. There is the need for board members with deep concern and vision, willing to speak out against and challenge voices that do not have the best interest of our students at heart; and this need is especially wanting in ensuring that the physical environment of our school facilities are always student friendly -- friendly in academics, management, health and structurally sound.
It is with this in mind that I am going to the polls to vote for that voice of reasoning, vision, dedication and one willing to face down voices that are negative to the best interests of our students. For me that voice is Edgar Rodriguez. We owe it to our young leaders of tomorrow that their needs are front and center -- always!
Janice D. Williams-Myers
New Paltz
Community connections
On Tuesday, April 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., the second Highland Community Connection was held at the Highland High School gymnasium. This was hosted by the Highland Central School District DLT.
My personal thanks to the services that participated and a very special thanks to the members of Highland Central School DLT team, Legislature Paul Hansut, Rafael Diaz and Kate Heidecker. Without your help and support this event would not have been a success. Thank you.
Nancy E. Hammond, Councilwoman
Town of Lloyd
What type of water do you want for your millions? I was one in a room full of Marlborough citizens who got a history lesson on Marlborough water on Monday evening, April 26. The lesson was delivered by past Town Supervisor Michael Canosa. Besides the historical review of how Marlborough was lucky enough to obtain water from the Delaware Aqueduct, Mr. Canosa had many thought-provoking ideas and questions as to the future of our water source. He graphically described his finding in the Milton well casing in 1971 of fish scales and dead fish from the addition of Hudson River water to the well water supply. He compared that to the accolades of the Delaware Aqueduct source that saved thousands of dollars for the Apple Dandy plant (now Brooklyn Bottling) in chemical and filtration treatment once the water supply changed there. This single example shows the extreme benefit of the Delaware Aqueduct source.
Mr. Canosa's presentation piqued the interest of all present as to why the discussion is even needed. In short, the present Town Board is in negotiation with the Town of Lloyd to abandon our Aqueduct source and pay $4,500,000 to Lloyd to extend their water lines to the Milton line, switching Marlborough to a river water supply. The obvious question is "Why?" Why would we abandon our present source? One might also ask follow-up questions, such as what will be the secondary costs to tie Lloyd to Marlborough, will we need to acquire more land or easements, what is the cost of the electrical power required to pump water uphill to the elevated areas in the water district? As a nurse, I am very concerned about what types of chemicals are needed to treat river water in order to make it potable, how much, what is their cost and what is their potential harm to health?
I urge members of the Marlborough/Milton water district to get informed and not only ask questions, but demand answers. You will be the ones who pay for any changes to our water supply. Trust me, it will cost millions of dollars whether we take Lloyds' offer of river water or we develop our own secondary supply. What type of water do you want for your millions? Ask yourselves.
Mici Simonofsky
Marlboro
Raising awareness
5.3 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disorder and is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease causes healthy brain tissue to disintegrate causing memory loss. As of right now, this disease has no cure.
We are a part of PIGLETS (Participation in Government Literature and Economics for Today's Student) -- a senior service learning class at New Paltz High School -- and for our final project we decided to work with the Alzheimer's Association to raise money and awareness to help with treatment and to finding a cure.
It is said that one out of every three people will get Alzheimer's before they die; it is possible that it could happen to you or a loved one, if it hasn't already. So please help out in anyway you can. To make a donation or if you have any questions or concerns, you can visit www.memorywalk2010.kintera.org/stoneridgeny/alison, Thank you!
Kelsey Logan, Samantha Cain, Alison O'Neill, Mackenzie Savago and Kate Pretsch
New Paltz High School Class of 2010
Join a CSA
Many of us are familiar through our own experiences or through friends of the wonders that come with joining a CSA-style farm. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and it also stands for spending some of your food money on the local economy, enjoying produce of an outstanding quality and variety, saving fossil fuels wasted in food transport, protecting open space by making the operation of CSA-farms possible and supporting social programs that many CSA's participate in. But what about your own pocketbook? Does joining a CSA save you money, or can you expect at least to break even with your prepaid vegetable share?
I set out to answer that question in regard to my CSA share at Phillies Bridge Farm Project and asked in my blog -- www.vegetarianonthecheap.com the rather provocative question: "Is a CSA worth it?"
The 2008 season I documented was rather average in terms of weather, yield and crops that excelled and some that didn't do as well. The result of my penny-pinching analysis was far from average. To sum it up in 2008 -- buying two full farm shares I was able to save $1,000 by joining Phillies Bridge Farm for the season. In other words, if I had gone out to buy the amount of produce I received from the farm at local stores -- big chain supermarkets and health food stores -- alike I would have had to spend an extra $1,000. Buying two farm shares and an additional berry share, I paid $860 and documented receiving $1,800 worth of vegetables, berries and herbs. Two farms shares is a bit much for the average family -- my family of three hungry vegetarians still had lots of produce left over to freeze and give away as presents.
One farm share which sells for $500 for this season is usually quite enough. I will start documenting this year's experience starting with our first distribution in the first week of June. Follow me on the blog, or better yet join us and get your own share -- we still have a few available! For info, visit www.philliesbridgefarm.org or call 256-9108.
Moni Azank
New Paltz
Ways to lessen our carbon footprint
Last Friday morning, I stopped at True Value Hardware to pick up a garden tool. I parked next to an SUV with its engine running. A person sat in the passenger seat talking on her cell phone. As I passed this vehicle, I noticed another parked car, a Nissan, with its engine running. There was a passenger in that car also and a dog. Friday was a beautiful day, and anyone waiting in a car would have been comfortable with the windows down.
You may wonder by now why I care one way or the other if people want to leave their cars idling while they shop. I do care and here are some reasons why.
For each gallon of gas an idling car burns, it releases about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. I don't know how to figure the amount of other pollutants an idling vehicle emits, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it gets exactly zero miles to the gallon.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motor vehicles are one of the largest contributors to ground-level ozone/smog. The nitrogen oxides in auto emissions contribute to acid rain and to problems with water quality.
In heavily populated areas, carbon monoxide gas, emitted from the tail pipes of motor vehicles, is responsible for as much as 90 percent of the carbon monoxide in the air. Under certain conditions, hydrocarbons from auto emissions react with nitrogen oxides to form ground level ozone that irritates eyes, causes coughing and shortness of breath and possible permanent lung damage.
For those who don't care about any of this, there's always the impetus to save a good bit of money by pouring less of it down the gas tank. Consider the cost of zero miles to the gallon. In 2006, the NSC said that idling, as well as the time we spend in stop-and-go traffic, cost us "753 million gallons of gasoline a year, or $1,194 per driver in wasted fuel and time." At today's $3.00 per gallon, it costs two-billion, 259-million dollars for us just to sit around idling.
Things we can do to lessen our carbon footprint:
Cut our driving by a few miles each day. Choose days when the car will not be driven at all. Plan errands all on one day.
Leave earlier and drive slower. You can reduce fuel consumption from 1.5 to 2 percent simply by driving slower at highway speeds.
Car pool or use the transit system. Walk or ride a bike when possible.
Turn off the ignition when waiting to pick a child up at school or in line at drive-up windows and other locations. In NYC, it's against the law to idle in a school area for more than one minute because of harmful health effects to the students.
And finally, please don't leave your car running while you shop.
Charlene Dye
New Paltz
Adam Fraser Scholarship Fund
Adam Chase Fraser was a Gardiner native whose life was taken too soon in November of 2006. Adam was a wonderful young man whose honesty, genuineness and spirit touched the lives of those around him. Adam was passionate about social justice and always looked out for the underdog. His quirkiness and unique qualities made him an incredible individual who is greatly missed by all who knew him.
In order to keep Adam's memory alive, the New Paltz Youth Program will be collecting donations to establish a scholarship in his name. This scholarship will be given out by the Youth Center to a graduating senior who possesses Adam's outstanding characteristics. Anyone wishing to make a donation can mail a check or money order, made out to the "Adam Fraser Scholarship Fund," to 220 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561. We will be announcing the scholarship winner towards the end of June. We hope this is the just the beginning of an annual memorial to a wonderful person.
Jim Tinger, LMSW
Youth Director
Town of New Paltz
A benefit for all
Midwifery care is sought by thousands of women in New York State each year. Midwives are independent health care specialists in women's and newborns' health care. Here in New York, they practice in hospitals, clinics, private offices, birth centers and homes. Nearly 30,000 babies are born each year in New York with a midwife in attendance. Midwifery is high-quality, sensible, affordable, respectful care for pregnancy and birth. New York State requires a burdensome "written practice agreement" (WPA) for midwives -- an agreement between ob-gyns and midwives regarding the transfer of patients whose needs fall outside midwifery's scope of practice. Meant originally to safeguard patients, the WPA instead functions mainly as a permission slip for midwives. When, due to ob-gyns' own troubles with insurance liability, midwives cannot find a doctor to sign their WPA, they are forced to stop providing health care or relocate. New York State's midwives' great statistics back up the quality of care their patients receive. The Midwifery Practice Act will allow midwives to practice in accord with their training and credentialing by relieving them of the need to maintain a WPA. This will benefit the entire state -- many more women will have access to the amazing gift of midwives. Support the Midwifery Practice Act -- support our midwives.
Colleen Boland Toder
New Palt
z
Voting to make Hinchey's political career history
I recently attended an event in New Paltz where our congressman, Maurice Hinchey, ranted against the recent Supreme Court decision of Citizens United, which upheld the right for political free speech in our country. Hinchey claimed that things being said on the right, and he sited Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, had to be stopped because they "threatened" our country. I am appalled that the man who is supposed to be representing me in Congress is opposed to freedom of speech in general and political free speech in particular! Meanwhile, I shortly after received a four-page, four-color mailer from Hinchey parroting all of the Pelosi talking points about Obamacare -- and this was PAID FOR WITH TAX DOLLARS. So, free speech is not okay with him unless it's used to spread the liberal propaganda and is paid for with our-hard earned money? People on both sides of the issue should be appalled at any government representative who denounces free speech at the same time he uses it to his political advantage. That's why I'm supporting George Phillips for Congress in November to make Mr. Hinchey's political career history!
Pamela O'Dell
Gardiner
Save the historic Gardiner Firehouse
Our "old library" is our "old firehouse." That little building has served us faithfully and tirelessly its entire life. The firehouse was built in the early 1900's shortly after "The Great Fire" burned down half of the Gardiner hamlet. The firehouse was used as a polling place, meeting hall, home of the Ladies Auxiliary and of course until recently, our library.
The names of the past chiefs and presidents of the company -- Moran, Wells, Upright and many others -- document a history of selfless service to our town.
Our firefighters have always been volunteers. These men and women come to the aid of their neighbors at all hours of the night and day without pay. The current duties of our firefighter go well beyond fire suppression. Our firefighters respond to car/airplane accidents, lost-injured rock climbers/parachutists and hazardous materials incidents. These increased duties require many hours of mandated training, yet we still enjoy their volunteer status.
Our fire department is an integral component of our county's Disaster Preparedness Response Plan. It's all voluntary.
When the flooding rains fill basements with water, who comes to pump them out? When forest fires threaten, who responds? Who provides volunteers for Gardiner Day and Fourth of July celebrations? Our Gardiner Fire Department! The men and women who keep you safe and respond every time you call, without fail.
Let's say thank you to them and preserve their heritage. Deed the old firehouse back to the firefighters. It's the right thing to do. Please contact the Town Board and support our heroes.
Jack Hayes
County Legislator District 8
Gardiner
The Regatta at The Otter
A very special thank you to Deb and Rick Rauch of the Gilded Otter, In Good Taste and My Towne for ALL they have done to support the Family of New Paltz Rubber Duck Race. All your lugging, dragging and loving made our day. Deb, you 'Are The One.'
Thank you to the Woodcrest Community for spending hours in the sun cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and dispensing ice cold drinks and then donating all the money from the sales to Family of New Paltz.
Thank you to Laurie, Johan and Eric Hedlund for taking our best-looking duck out for a ride in the parade and a dip in the Wallkill River.
Special kudos to New Paltz High School seniors Chandler, Eric, Lance and Mikey for their hard work and creative ideas.
To Dan and Marianne Winfield and the kayak crew for overseeing our rubber ducks as, to everyone's delight, they swam the Wallkill with great bravado! The Regatta Committee, the New Paltz Police and to all who helped to pull off this fantastic event.
Great appreciation to Mohonk Preserve for the family membership, Ignite Fitness, Handmade & More, True Value, In Good Taste, Enchanted Toys, The Gilded Otter, The Bakery, Village Pizza, The Sweet Shoppe and the Taco Shack.
Most importantly, I don't know what I would do without Family's dedicated volunteers, who year after year, event after event, graciously lend a helping hand. And thank you to all who came out to play.
Kathy Cartagena
Family of New Paltz
Successful raffle
The New Paltz Athletic Association (NPAA) recently held its 15th annual fund-raising raffle. Thanks to the support of former NPHS athletes and coaches, community members and parents of current high school athletes, it was a great success.
We'd especially like to thank the local merchants who generously donated additional prizes to make our raffle reception a very festive event: Mohonk Mountain House, Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits, New Paltz Wine & Spirits, Ohioville Liquor Store, Gilded Otter Brewing Company, Ricci's Barber Shop, In Good Taste, Enthusiastic Spirits & Wine Shop and Whitecliff Vineyards.
The NPAA is an organization of parents who work together to help New Paltz High School maintain a vibrant sports program. In these times of lean school budgets, the modest contributions of the NPAA toward referees fees, uniforms, tournaments, transportation and the like has become even more important to the success of high school sports teams. New members are always welcome. For more information on getting involved, contact Ed Mannix, NPAA president, at edmannix@verizon.net.
Barbara Petruzzelli
NPAA Raffle Chair
Gardiner
What a crew -- what a day
The 2010 New Paltz Regatta was a huge success on so many levels with the streets filled with hundreds of onlookers, the water sprinkled with 100 participants and some of the finest watercrafts we have ever seen. The best part of the event -- to my mind -- was the precision, accuracy and speed with which the boats were paraded and launched this year, quelling all complaints from past years about two hours "put-in" delays. The time was exactly one hour and three minutes from the moment Duke rolled out of the Village Hall lot to begin the parade to Mike's horn blast signaling the start of the race -- simply AMAZING!
The absolutely phenomenal Regatta crew are to be congratulated and thanked -- from the parade start lot with DPW at the ready and Kathy, Jim, Carol, Jackie, Kelly, Theresa, John and the New Paltz Youth Center volunteers getting everyone in line for the 1 p.m. (on the dot!) start time. The poetry in motion at SOJO park with Rosalie at the helm, Mike on the horn and Steve, Brian, Jim and John moving the trailers and boats in and out with impressive speed and the SUNY sorority sisters holding back the crowds, keeping the children to the side and assisting wherever needed. In the water and on the pavement, we had the Rescue Squad and Fire Department volunteering for hours and the Police Department out in full force keeping everyone safe! At the finish Joyce, Rich, Ricki, Jeff, Kathy and Marianne (with the ducks) kept everyone occupied with antics and fun! For delicious food and wonderful entertainment we had Deb, The Trapps, Woodcrest and, of course, Carl keeping us all informed.
We know this was the largest crowd we have ever had for the Regatta and the day was just perfect! This is, without a doubt, New Paltz's most popular spring event and the folks who organize the Regatta are TRULY some of the most amazing people in New Paltz!! THANK YOU to each and every one of you for all you did (and continue to do year after year) to make the New Paltz Regatta such a successful and memorable event!!!
Shari Osborn
Trustee, Village of New Paltz
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