The first thing people should know about our local government is that it is not an “antiquated” system -- it is a time-tested and time-honored system that has served us well since village incorporation about 125 years ago, and still has the ability to serve our local public needs efficiently and fairly. Just because the New Paltz Times, the firemen and various other individuals and factions are feuding with the current village administration is no reason to destroy our village government. The individuals who currently have seats on our Village Board will not be there forever, but the village as an institution has every reason to look to a long and successful future.
Some minor correction of local history as published in the Times is in order. The town predates the village by many years, towns as governing bodies were created under the NY State Constitution. While some villages were created by the New York State Legislature in the early years, most village governments were incorporated under an 1870s law -- this is the source of the Village of New Paltz charter of incorporation.
It seems that a certain narrow tunnel vision takes over whenever some people think about improving the “efficiency” of our local government -- the first thing that comes to their collective mind is “disincorporate the village.” What should come first to the mind of any thoughtful citizen is “grow the village.” That’s right, any area contiguous to the village receiving water and sewer service through the village should be annexed to the village. I am convinced that the result would be huge tax savings for existing villagers, and modest savings in water and sewer rates and little or no rise in other taxes for the new village residents -- all the while increasing the efficiency of an already efficient village government.
A village is first and foremost a multi-purpose district providing services such as water, sewer, streets, sidewalks, etc. to residents within the village bounds. This is in comparison to a town, which must form another special use district (another taxing authority) every time a town neighborhood needs a service like water or sewer. It is these countless thousands of expensive poorly administered districts that the new state law was designed to eliminate -- not the elimination of successful and efficient village governments. Disincorporation of the Village of New Paltz would result in the creation of numerous new special districts, each levying its own taxes and fees -- this in direct contradiction to the purpose of the new state law.
Some naively believe that disincorporation of the village would result in huge tax savings -- they seem to think that the services paid for by village taxpayers would somehow no longer need to be provided and paid for. The fact is; the only immediate savings would come from the pittance we pay our mayor and trustees -- and you can be sure it would not be long before the administrators of the newly formed village districts would be collecting as much, if not more, than the present administration.
Over the years the village has ceded some obviously redundant services to the town: assessment, courts and police come immediately to mind. I have advocated for years for consolidation of the village and town building and code enforcement offices into one location with each building inspector deputized to his counterpart resulting in a much more efficient operation.
There could be greater cooperation between the village and town street maintenance operations, which, in terms of equipment and efficient use of equipment and manpower, could result in some savings while delivering better service.
John Logan
New Paltz
School board president should resign
In “taking one for the team” it makes me think of my love of sports. Since our current New Paltz School Board president used this phrase to sum up his “settling” of his case, I wondered what the NPCSD Athletic Handbook for 2010-2011 states about student participation. This applies to all student athletes who participate in the modified program (seventh and eighth grades), as well as JV and varsity sports.
I had never read it before and all athletes are required to read and follow the handbook. It is a short 12-page read on the school website and addresses the program’s philosophy, participation requirements and eligibility guidelines to name a few. On page 4, it goes on to talk about “conditions for play,” which reads as follows: “As our most visible representatives, athletes are expected to exemplify good citizenship in both school and the community at large. Athletes will display good behavior both in practices and games. Participation rules apply to in-school and off-school violations that occur during the school year. This means that these CONDITIONS are in effect seven days a week, 24 hours a day during the school year. Conduct unbecoming an athlete can result in suspension or dismissal from the team. Such conduct would include, but would not be limited to, profanity, fighting, hazing, arrest...insubordination, use/possession/distribution of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.”
It goes on to read “use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and performance-enhancing substances and abusive use of medication present significant health risks for all students. Medical research clearly substantiates that the use of alcohol and mood-modifying substances produce harmful effects. Athletic performance is compromised by substance abuse. Athletes who experiment with such substances jeopardize team morale, team reputation, team success and do physical harm to themselves. Additionally substance use is illegal.”
Last year, there were over 500 kids who represented our schools in various athletic teams. What message is the school board trying to send to these kids? The right course of action is for the school board president to be a leader and resign. Again, I would encourage you to join me in attending the next school board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Ed Burke
New Paltz
It’s cool to be green and we’ll get you started
Many communities in Ulster County have pledged to be Climate Smart Communities, including both the town and village of New Paltz. Under the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) this partnership of state and local governments has taken on the goal to combat climate change. The Climate Action Committee (CAC) will be participating in a climate smart Task Force made up of elected officials and New Paltz residents, which will be developing a number of initiatives consistent with New Paltz’s climate smart pledge.
This week, the CAC will have a booth at the Ulster County Fair which is going on through Sunday, Aug. 8. At the CAC’s booth, information will be available on ways each of us can start to help lessen the effects of climate change. The cumulative effect of all of us sharing this responsibility CAN make a difference. By conserving the use of fossil fuels we help combat the effects of global warming.
The activities include a Fracking Station, a Bike Ped Station, a Water Saving Station, the Solar Dryer and much more. Take a Green Quiz and the Green Pledge. Enjoy the experiential activities we have planned. Get started NOW! Together we can do this!
Our coalition meets every Thursday at New Paltz Village Hall at 25 Plattekill Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. Join us and be part of our efforts. Or call 255-0130. See you at the fair! Info at www.ulstercountyfair.com.
Climate Action Coalition
New Paltz
Come share the street! I suspect that one of my fondest memories at the end of my life will be the gorgeous October day 14 years ago when I first stepped onto Historic Huguenot Street (HHS). It was a day for which I had waited for over 40 years -- ever since “the letter” arrived in our rural Oregon mailbox.
Life was not wonderful in our home or our community in the 1950s, but the generosity of a distant cousin (the late Kenneth Hasbrouck) taking time to answer family history questions made a significant difference in my ten-year-old mind. For the rest of the years leading up to that first visit to the village of my paternal ancestors, “New Paltz” was a magical term, a place of great expectations, a goal to hunger for. No matter what transpired in the remaining years, I looked forward to finally seeing “my village, my street.”
I’ve been fortunate to make several trips since then, to participate in activities of some of the family associations that support our houses, collections and archives; even to serve as president of one for a few terms, and to serve on various HHS committees -- not an easy task from this distance -- but I’m dedicated to preserving this amazing national treasure known as “Historic Huguenot Street.”
In 2000, my daughters, son-in-law and grandsons joined nearly 100 cousins for our “Back to the Beginning” Elting family reunion that not only featured the street, but numerous New Paltz sites and businesses, with our accommodations reserved at the wonderful Williams Lake Resort in Rosendale.
Now, on the weekend of Aug. 13-15, there is a unique event in New Paltz that I expect will generate for other first-time visitors the same thrill and feeling of coming home that I experienced over a decade ago. The Gathering, a reunion of the descendants of the first families of the New Paltz Patent, will be held that weekend with a plethora of activities the likes of which have never been seen all at one time on this historic site.
I want to encourage every person who is, thinks they are, or wishes they were, a descendant of one or more of the original French Huguenot (Walloon), Dutch, Jewish, Native American, African American or other families of early New Paltz to register for this amazing weekend of special activities.
But even if you haven’t connected your family history to any of those families, register and come anyway! It will be a wonderful way to interact with people who have a deep and abiding love for your home town. You may be surprised at how what happens in New Paltz and especially on Historic Huguenot Street affects so many people around the world!
Note: The program and the reservation information is all available on the website at www.huguenotstreet.org (click on “The Gathering” on the right side of the home page).
Grace Elting Okesson
Eugene, OR
Working against the good in New Paltz
On a recent Monday night, I joined friends at the Water Street Market to enjoy a film, not knowing the event would be ruined. Some time after 8 p.m., I entered what I thought was the Water Street Market’s parking lot. When the showing ended, I returned to my car and saw a ticket on the driver’s window that warned me not to drive it; a boot that immobilized my car had been attached to the front wheel. That particular evening, I did not have my cell phone, a large amount of money or an ATM card. It was 10:30 p.m. I was alone and I was at a loss as to how to proceed. A stranger offered me her cell phone and when I called the number on the ticket, I was told the cost to me would be $100, plus tax, to release my car.
When the towing company driver arrived, he was arrogant. Why he thought it was necessary for him to be that way is a mystery to me, as I am a petite white-haired grandmother of three, not exactly a threatening type. He collected $100 from me and told me how lucky I was that he had not towed away my car since the towing fee would have been $220.
I am trying to understand the need for such a strict penalty. My car was in an empty lot for two hours and the business located across the street had been closed for many hours before I arrived. There were no customers at that time of night, therefore no contention for parking space. If the owners do not want parking in their empty lot, why have they not installed a gate or a chain across the entrance? The obvious answer is that prevention does not put money in their pockets. With only a phone call to a local towing company, money is made. The more people who park in their lot when it is not being used, the more money is made. This has not only happened to me. Other victims have reported their similar experiences on the website http://artbycanace.blogspot.com. To the best of my knowledge, these are the only merchants who have cars immobilized and towed away after business hours. Do the owners of that parking lot realize the negative impact their actions have on the Village of New Paltz, which strives to be welcoming? Weekend visitors and parents of students come here to enjoy themselves. Residents like myself don’t expect such harsh and unnecessary treatment from two of our business owners who are also residents of our village. These business owners work against the good in New Paltz.
Yet surprisingly, good things did come out of this despicable action. A woman offered me the use of her cell phone. A man known for his civic responsibility recognized me and offered his assistance. My thanks to both of them. Because they chose to be involved, a man named Carl Weldon opened his wallet and handed me a $100 bill. He did not know me. Carl is what all people should be -- a decent caring and unselfish person. When I thanked him, his response was for me to do the same for someone else in need. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to him. What goes around comes around. My hope is that much good comes around to Carl and to his family. And as for the owners of that particular parking lot, well..that’s another story.
Sandie Kaplan
New Paltz
Back-to-school supplies
School will be starting in a month or so and Family of New Paltz is already getting requests for school supplies. Can you donate some of what our young scholars need? They would really appreciate: spiral notebooks, loose-leaf notebooks w/dividers, composition books, backpacks, pens and pencils, calculators, folders (especially the kind that fit in loose-leaf binders), white-out, highlighters, rulers and colored pencils, magic markers or crayons.
Family of New Paltz sends a big thank-you to all of you for your continuing support.
Margaret Human
New Paltz
Gardiner 5K Classic a huge success
Thanks to the many sponsors, runners/walkers and volunteers who gave of their time parking cars, working the registration desk, cooking, giving water to participants running/walking the course, setting up, cleaning up and just being there to help on the day of the race to make the Gardiner 5K Run held on July 15 at Majestic Park such a huge success. The proceeds from this race will help with the building expansion for Gardiner Fire Department and help maintain the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail.
A special thanks goes to the committee: Barbara Clinton, John Farcasse, Bernadette Koonz, Terri Colucci and Charlie Eidel for all of the help and advice given to the Gardiner Fire Department in order to make this race such a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Also, we would like to thank the many sponsors of the race-our GOLD sponsors: Orange County Trust Company, Scott Barclay Trucking, Orange Regional Medical Center, NYCOMCO, Provident Bank, Kiss My Face, Hudson Valley Impressions, Masseo Landscaping Inc., Royal King Cleaners, P & G’s of New Paltz, Mobil Life Support Services, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Gold Fox, Riverside Bank, Haight Fire Equipment Supply, Lombardi’s Restaurant, Craig Thomas Pest Control, Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant, Wright’s Farm, Lightning Express Delivery Service, Inc., The Natural Pet Center at Ireland Corners, Lewis Sign Co., The Devine Agency Inc., Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits, Wilde Fire Equipment Co.
Our Silver sponsors: PIP Printing, Skydivetheranch.com, The Playhouse Preschool & Childcare, Eclipse Awning Systems, Key Bank, Penflex, Inc., Hopewell Fire Apparatus Service Co. Inc., Ulster Savings Bank, Walden Savings Bank, Fraleigh & Rakow, Inc., Meadowscent, Lucky C Stables, Ireland Corner Store, Chris Martinez Excavating, The Little People’s Place, New Paltz Health and Nutrition Center, Smitty’s Body Shop, Tantillos Farm Market, Tiger Lily Jewelers, Edge Landscaping, K & E Beverages, Hoover Architecture, PLLC, Apuzzo Kitchens, PE Colucci Excavating Inc., True Value of New Paltz Inc., Colucci-Shand Real Estate, Ridgeline Realty, Dedricks Pharmacy and Gifts, Modena Family Practice, Majestic’s Hardware Inc., Marshall & Sterling Inc., Paesano’s Pizzeria Inc., Ireland Corners Automotive Group, The Center for Advanced Dentistry, New Paltz Agway, Advanced Retractable Screens, Inc., Kimlin Propane Co. Inc., Bialecki Architects, Bridge Creek Catering, LLC, Gilded Otter Brewing Company, Village Market and Bakery, Brookside Farm, Foster & Schmalkuche, P.C., Jenkins and Lueken Orchards, Joey’s Taxi Company, Minnewaska Lodge, Jim Wild Well Drilling, LLC, Fall Fittings, John Dippel, Surveyor, Whispers Cocktail Lounge
The businesses that provided the gifts used as prizes for the various winners: Road ID., College Diner, My Town U.S.A., Café Mio, Town Cutters, Hi Ho Market & Antique Center, Lightsey Cycles, Uptown Attic, DBDesigns, Enthusiastic Spirits & Wine, The Bakery in New Paltz, Mike Arteaga’s, Pasquales Pizzeria, Beeks Automotive, Shapers of New Paltz, Pyong Ahn Institute Karate School, New Paltz Cinema’s, Rt 299 Liquors
The businesses that gave donations: Binnewater Ice, Lewis Sign Co., Please Eat the Daisies Caterer, Freihofer’s, Shop Rite and Jeff Taylor.
The support given to the Gardiner Fire Department, a volunteer organization made up of firefighters and EMT’s, was overwhelming and greatly appreciated. If you would like to join the Gardiner Fire Department and help others in the community in their time of need, please visit our website at www.GardinerFireAndRescue.org and complete an application. We are always looking for volunteers. Next year’s annual Gardiner 5K Classic is scheduled for July 21. See you there.
Donna M. Lyons, EMT
The 5K Classic Committee Chairperson
Gardiner Fire Department
As Bill sees it
I was amused by last week’s New Paltz Times “feedback” section where J. Robin Ward did a photo collage of me to go with her attack letter. I loved it.
I also want to thank J.R. for “humbly” enlightening me last week about the New York town and village court systems requiring “unanimous” jury decisions in criminal misdemeanor cases. Although she curiously didn’t mention it, I think J.R. (who is a high school teacher that lives in New Paltz and works in Poughkeepsie) was referring to the New Paltz School Board President (the Teflon Don) Kerr’s marijuana and reckless driving non-trial, not held in Gardiner. I’ll bet trial lawyers had a lot to do with drafting that law, as it allows them to drag cases out for years like the Don’s was with its 20 postponements, and then wind up making a deal with the district attorney, judge and the prosecutor. For defendant’s lawyers at least, it must be a gift that just keeps on giving.
I think we should all be better informed about how our court system works. A few years ago I suggested that the New Paltz court proceedings be videotaped for our public access TV channel (Time Warner Channel 23), but nothing ever came of it, as well as my idea to air all school board meetings live. Having been kept off the Public Access TV Committee by Supervisor Toni Hokanson, board member Kitty Brown and their appointed committee chairperson -- the Teflon Don Kerr himself -- I’ve had a good “Taste of New Paltz” politics, with its politicians and their running dogs. It gives me heartburn.
Secrecy is the order of the day with these people. Just think of when was the last time you read a letter-to-the-editor from one of our local representatives with an idea or dream (what a laugh) for a better New Paltz, besides some mega-development.
I went to a recent town Planning Board hearing where my neighbors were protesting the building of an east-west (Rt. 32N to North Putts Corners Road) connection for Rocky Hill Road. It seems that many of my neighbors were angry about the connection, but even more angry with town Supervisor Toni Hokanson, who didn’t bother to inform them about the plan. Fortunately, some Rocky Roaders got wind of the plan and alerted their neighbors and there was a big turnout. The street connection was stopped by the town Planning Board (God bless them), who chose to listen to the overwhelming local opposition instead of some of “our” political leaders.
I see that talk of the “consolidation” of New Paltz is once again reemerging. I think that anything that reduces the number of politicians we have is a good thing. However, what I think we really need is new people to represent us.
Bill Mulcahy
New Paltz
Latest news from the fracking vacationers in Pennsylvania
We continue our “fracking” vacation in north-central Pennsylvania (across the border from Elmira). We are visiting that area to glean information about the impacts of horizontal gas drilling, known as hydro-fracking, which has been going on there for several years and will soon be coming to New York.
“Stand here along this highway and you’ll see more trucks than you’ve seen in a lifetime,” a small town highway department worker told us. We were having a conversation at a pump site along the Munsy Creek, from which a fracking company was sucking water. It was stored alongside the creek in huge 25,000 gallon, bright orange roll-off tanks. As we talked, two tank trunks pulled in, each 50 feet long, ready to fill up with 5,500 gallons of water the truckers would haul to a drill site.
While driving along local highways through beautiful fields and forests, we’ve seen hundreds of these tankers, plus other trucks carrying chemicals, pipes and equipment, along with dump trucks used for hauling gravel for new roads and widening others for the fracking process. The scuttle-but among the drivers we’ve talked to is that they’ll be hauling like this for the next 20 years.
Dan, who’s done most of the driving, marvels that these loaded trucks are able to exceed the speed limit uphill on the secondary roads. As they barrel down the road in the opposite lane and behind you, there’s no time to be distracted.
The power and speed of the trucks reflects the high energy brought into these normally sleepy rural communities. There’s a certain ‘gold-rush’ excitement that permeates community life now. And while the gas money comes in, there will be some who benefit; but the rural character may never be the same.
Dan and Ann Guenther
New Paltz
International headlines
This past week we saw yet another two stories that were unacceptable: the US military in Afghanistan was shown by its own records to have committed war crimes against the civilians there, and Israel destroyed a 130-plus year old Bedouin village in Negev as part of its ethnic cleansing program. Both stories had widespread coverage, but were quickly rationalized by using slogans and cheap semantics. “If we didn’t shoot up that bus of schoolchildren in Kabul, they would have all grown up to become terrorists, and would have come over here and beheaded us in a jihad.” And the old chestnut “Israel has the right to defend itself (against peaceful, unarmed people)” were just two of the myriad of pathetic mental gymnastics I heard in New Paltz. I’ll state it clearly -- such apologetics are nothing less than a condoning of murder, mayhem and genocide.
As the world goes insane and becomes deadly for humans to live in, we are trapped in the circuitous “critical theory” of political correctness, so that we may quickly offer excuses for continuing, repetitive, murderous and cruel behaviors and forget the real truth: people are being tortured, denied the right to live and are being killed; and we’re worried about our own damn patriotism and are obsessed with making sure we don’t offend a small, costly ally.
Raymundo Rodriguez-Jackson
New Palt
z
Stopped short
We read with great interest the recent letter by Mr. Stone about fixing Henry W. Dubois Drive. It sure seems simple enough to remove all the stop signs and change the cross streets to yield signs and all the problems will go away for those motorists looking to bypass Main Street. However, as over 30-year residents living directly on Henry W. Dubois, we have seen traffic increase by approximately tenfold and we have witnessed many accidents and insane driving maneuvers along our formerly quiet residential street. So we are doubtful that any simple fixes will improve that.
While we thank Mr. Stone for the link to the research on multi stop signs, it seems to raise some issues we agree with and some we don’t -- just like his letter.
We agree that the noise of cars (and motorcycles) stopping and accelerating can be very annoying. There are also car stereos and subwoofers that rattle our windows and ears. We pity the passengers. Thankfully, most large trucks are banned from the road.
The energy, fuel and equipment maintenance costs are certainly things we should reduce to do our part to help the environment.
We know that after raising two boys and now two grandchildren here we sleep better at night knowing there is a stop sign on our corner and that most drivers WILL obey it and slow traffic down in front of our house.
An issue that would arise if all the stop signs were removed is that it will become very difficult during certain parts of the day to cross or merge onto Henry W. Dubois. Additionally, when Main Street is closed off during the many parades or emergencies, Henry W. Dubois gridlock will become even worse. Just ask the Trailways and UCAT bus drivers.
The report Mr. Stone cites also states that “multi-way stops can reduce cut-through traffic volume if many intersections along the road are controlled by stop signs. If enough stop signs are installed on a residential or collector street, motorists may go another way because of the inconvenience of having to start and stop at so many intersections.” It seems that this is exactly the intent of the stop signs on Henry W. Dubois and by removing them the residents will see an increase in traffic on an already heavily travelled road, since it would become a more official Main Street bypass route. We would also suspect that any increase in traffic will trigger the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection with Route 32, which people will not like either.
The report also concluded that most multi-way stop violations were usually caused by local residents. It seems that since Henry W. Dubois is a diverter road around Main Street to Route 32 that this may not be the case with regard to our street, so wider and more specific education or warnings may be needed.
We also chuckled about his idea of removing large RED signs with ONE word on it that people ignore and replacing them with signs to remind people to drive safely that would more easily be ignored.
Mr. Stone and his cited research seems to conclude that drivers obey the law when they believe it is necessary or are being watched. The report also listed many alternatives to stop signs that can be used as methods of speed control to ‘calm’ traffic. Upon further research into traffic ‘calming,’ one such system that seemed applicable here was the Watchman Casualty Reduction Scheme. This a traffic-calming measure used in the United Kingdom which uses a combination of traffic cameras and variable speed signs to show the drivers current speed. The traffic cameras are not used to issue tickets, but warning letters can be sent to encourage drivers to slow down. It seems that this could be funded from all the savings that Mr. Stone outlined in his letter. More info can be found at this web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchman_camera.
As members of the many cyclists and walkers on Henry W. DuBois, we know that the lack of sidewalks or a biking/walking lane can also be dangerous when traffic increases and moves faster. We would support measures to create better signage or road markings for cyclists and pedestrians along the road and create crosswalks.
So, in summary, we would be all in favor of any improvements that would:
1. Keep speeds low and residentially safe.
2. Not encourage increased traffic on ‘our’ road.
3. Reduce noise, emissions and vehicle wear and tear.
4. Improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
We’re hoping that Mr. Stone’s concern is because he is a neighbor of ours on Henry W. Dubois and not just interested in getting home faster to his quiet neighborhood.
Michele and Jim Taylor
New Paltz
Stop playing politics
As the former acting chair of the Village of New Paltz’s Youth Advisory Committee, I am incredibly disappointed by the recent actions of the Ulster County Legislature in rejecting Janet Caffo for the position of County Youth Director. While I did not support the termination of outgoing director Krista Barringer, the legislature just made an egregious and undeniable mistake in rejecting Ms. Caffo.
As has been widely reported, New York State is cutting funding to all programs and funding for youth programming is no exception. The county executive, apparently in a move to save money, fired the Youth Director and moved to replace her with someone who met the qualifications of that office, but who could also fill other positions within the Youth Bureau. The move would have saved $74,000, and the individual who was qualified to do the two jobs (for one salary) was Ms. Caffo.
By rejecting Ms. Caffo, the legislature has now jeopardized thousands of dollars that go towards youth programs throughout the county. New York requires each county to have a full-time Youth Bureau director to be eligible for grant money and by not having a full time Youth Bureau director, our already embattled youth programs are now at increased risk.
Janet Caffo, who is a New Paltz resident, was appointed by County Executive Mike Hein to take over the County’s Youth Bureau. The Republican led legislature rejected the appointment to, in the words of Republican County Chairman Mario Catalono, “take a stand against the Executive.” However, more troubling is that one of our own legislators, Ms. Susan Zimet, was actually heard to say that she too was going to “send a message” by voting no on this appointment.
Ms. Zimet’s alliance with the Republican Party and their pre-occupation of going after the executive, made the betterment and future of our youth the main casualty. It is clear that partisan politics played a heavy-handed role in this debacle, and the impact of this poorly motivated and executed decision will be far reaching. To have the Republican County Chair, Republican Legislature and Ms. Zimet reject Ms. Caffo is deplorable; to have youth program funding threatened is even worse. I hope the Republicans and Ms. Zimet stop playing politics and start looking out for the children of our county and our community.
Mike Cerasaro
New Paltz
12U New Paltz All-Stars: Another perspective
In response to last week’s article entitled “The New Paltz 12U Tomahawks,” I decided to provide a different perspective from the vantage point of assistant coach and scorekeeper. While this perspective of the 12U experience may not have the sizzle of last week’s article, it is what I saw and recorded in the play book, which differs considerably from the author of last week’s article.
At the beginning of the 12U All-Star season, the coaches realized that we didn’t have any pitchers that would blow away the opposition and we didn’t have any power hitters in the line-up. In fact, we realized that we would have to fight as a team for everything that we earned on the baseball field -- as a team. This was a young team with no experience together that did not have the two visible elements commonly needed to be successful at Cal Ripken 12U All-Star competition -- dominant pitching and a top of the line-up that could drive the ball over a 200-foot fence several times a game.
We never imagined that the following would be accomplished in District play: a 3-1 record where we scored 46 runs and gave up the least amount of runs of any team: six. And in contrast to last week’s article, the facts were that we scored those 46 runs with only one home run being hit in official tournament play, and that came from the number seven batter in the line-up. In addition, a spectacular defense made our pitchers look like stars on the scoreboard with run-saving plays from all parts of the field. The remarkable aspect of our defense is that the final line-up was not decided upon until a week before our first game, which left the boys little time to practice in their positions.
Thankfully for a consolation game in the Districts, which is not common, the boys fought hard and didn’t go home after three games and all those weeks of practice. We would have an opportunity to go to the State tournament as the number-three seed from our District if we could come out with a victory. Minutes before the consolation game, we found out that two of our players decided to leave the team. Instead of the team losing its spirit, the boys defeated Poughkeepsie 12-1. (Poughkeepsie had given the District champion East Fishkill and the Runner-up Beekman, very tough competition.) We came out hitting right from the first inning and again spectacular defense from all parts of the field thwarted any opportunities for the other team to get anything going.
At the State tournament, the boys mastered the lost art of small ball baseball that is not found today at the 12U level where long home runs with composite baseball bats and hard-throwing pitchers dominate the smaller field format. Going 2-2 in the State tournament and 5-3 overall was a remarkable accomplishment, especially beating East Fishkill the number-one seed in our District and Wilton, who was considered one of the top teams in the State tournament.
This was a true team effort where no single player stood out in front of the pack. Without any big boppers, we scored our runs one base hit at a time with each boy having to pull his own share of the load. We had no stars, no showcase players and all hitters in the lineup had to move as one for us to be able to score any runs. It was truly a tremendous dynamic when we were able to keep it together. There were no dominant pitching performances, but very good performances that were supported by incredible defensive plays. Again, this was a team that played the lost art of small ball, fighting for every base hit, clawing to advance a base and playing a fielding defense that was considered one of the best in the State tournament, as commented by two umpires.
Thanks boys for giving your best effort and contributing to our success as a team: Brandon Zapotoski, Michael Yanik, Clayton Thompson, Seb Pannuto, Nate McPherson, Michael Kenney, Joey DiMarco, Taylor Digilio, Stevie Branche and Matt Barbieri.
Dennis Pannuto
Assistant Coach, New Paltz 12U All-Stars
Caffo was undone by political means
I am deeply disappointed that the County Legislature rejected the appointment of Ms. Janet Caffo to the office of Youth Director in Ulster County. I have known Janet for many years and she is one of the more capable people in public service today. She has done a fantastic job as Director of Consumer Fraud, helping people of all ages achieve justice. She would have done an equally fantastic job helping our youth and youth programs.
Janet, a New Paltz resident, was undone by political means. It is unfortunate that the County Republicans decided to make her a scapegoat to attack the county executive. I’m also disappointed that a few of our own New Paltz representatives voted against her, including Legislators Hayes, Ronk, Hansut, DeMaio and Zimet. As New Paltz representatives, I think they should have at least spoken with Ms. Caffo before the vote. I wish they would have granted her an interview her before offhandedly rejecting her. As both a qualified person with a Master’s of Social Work and a New Paltz resident, she would have helped our local youth.
The State of New York is already cutting back youth programs. Without a director, the county is now potentially at risk to lose funding. I hope the legislature takes more thought with future appointments than they did with this one. Ms. Caffo will still be working for us at Consumer Fraud which is a good thing. She’s doing good work for all of us here in New Paltz.
Rachel Williams
New Paltz
Support Fawn Tantillo for Ulster County Comptroller
The election season is approaching and I’m especially looking forward to supporting Fawn Tantillo this fall for Ulster County Comptroller. This is a fairly new position in Ulster County, but a very important one. Fawn wants to be your watchdog and I know she would be great at it.
She is not only intimately familiar with Ulster County government, but also with the people who work and live here. Her resumé is long and laudable helping people in both the public and the private sector.
I hope you will join me in supporting her, not just because she’s my mother, but because she’s the best candidate for this position.
Christina Saylor
New Paltz
Much to be proud of at Wallkill Central
We at Wallkill Central Schools have reason to be proud of our graduates. And not just the class of 2010, but of those a few years ago. I recently went to my optometrist in New Paltz for my yearly check-up and who came to examine me but my former biology student, Stephanie Reek. Make that DOCTOR Reek from the Class of 2002. How great is THAT!!
There’s more. I recently visited our high school to shake Mr. Rydell’s hand, our new principal. As I entered, I was stopped by Madeleine McGowan, one of our personnel; “Mr. Regan, you had my daughter, Courtney. She’s taking her Bar Exam today. Please say a prayer for her.” DUH -- That’s an easy assignment! Courtney’s of the Class of 2003. What a fine district we have and what terrific students and devoted parents!
We have MUCH to be proud of at Wallkill Central.
Gene Regan, Science Teacher
Wallkill Senior High School
Tales of gas drilling
Some people think we need gas from deep under rocks.
The bad people don’t care what they do to get it, just like the risky drilling in the Gulf. The bad people have the Supreme Court adding to their voices, vast amounts of corporate money, experienced lobbyists and the media.
The good people, who have a better way, have had their voices taken from them and want to stop the bad people. The good people have each other, are smart and strong, stick together, work hard and they will prevail.
What is the name of the game? PIN THE TAIL ON THE GAS WELL
or
DO NOT PIN THE TAIL ON THAT POTENTIAL GAS WELL SITE
Ruth Molloy
Rosalyn Cherry
New Paltz
Above and beyond
The New Paltz Town Board would like to thank the following members of the Highway Department who went well beyond the obligations of their jobs when they paved the new Police Department parking lot in mid-July this year: Sam Granieri, lead base construction; William McGovern, lead layout/paving; Ray Mendock; Vinny Sickles; Ken Roberts; Toby Kollbeck; Lee John Fisher; Ed Saunders; and Dave Weeks, Bob Karlsbarch and Bill Merten for keeping the team running.
They worked ten-hour shifts, some longer, with temperatures outside the paving area in the mid to high 90s. The heat plus the asphalt raised temperatures to blast-furnace levels. There was no shade.
Yet they took no shortcuts. The smoothness of the surface is testament to the workmanship; the lack of roller marks and the clean edges all show the care that went into the work. They didn’t stop until the police had a finished lot. In an era in which “interdepartmental cooperation” is a buzzword, the Highway team with Recreation and Building and Grounds assistance gave us a fine example of the true meaning of those words.
Thank you for a job well done.
Toni Hokanson, Town Supervisor
Jane Ann Williams, Deputy Supervisor
Kristin Brown, Town Board
David Lewis, Town Board
Jeff Logan, Town Board
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