In Woodstuck, the land of perpetual controversy, conflict and obfuscation, sometimes the answer to problems is so obvious that no one seems to disentangle from the endless wrestle long enough to grasp it.
The Town long ago gave away the entitlements of its name by rejecting the Woodstock Festival. Bethel got the action then and owns the nostalgia market now. The contempo music scene goes to Bearsville — where Albert Grossman introduced it all. Fair enough!
The present bankrupt Playhouse, at the most visible entry to the Town, can generate no vital and ongoing relevant action. The Town Fathers argue and vituperate ad infinitum over inadequate and too costly needed space for the Police and Town Court, etc...Well?
Michael Heinrich
Glenford
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE…
The Good News: Woodstock has many people who talk and are willing to work together, utilizing their skills and knowledge to create a positive direction for the town.
The Bad News: Woodstock also has many people who talk as if they are using Preparation H instead of toothpaste and are deliberately disrupting and spewing havoc in their wake.
Howard Harris
Bearsville
LIBRARY ADVOCATES
I was fortunate to be able to listen in person to the Woodstock Library Board’s presentation of the proposed 2011 budget last week at a town board meeting. I believe that the trustees have worked diligently to present a budget that has minimal increases; therefore, I am pleased to support it.
When I first met Stuart Auchincloss, we were both trustees on the Woodstock Library board, more than five years ago. I would like to voice my support for Stuart’s re-election to the Woodstock Library board as well as add my support for incumbent Katryna Barber.
Stuart is an advocate for the Library and continues to work tirelessly toward improving the physical structure of the building, thus benefiting all library users. Stuart is well known throughout Woodstock as a volunteer in many of our service organizations. Please join me in supporting the proposed 2011 Woodstock Library Board budget as well as Stuart Auchincloss and Katryna Barber on Thursday September 2, 2010 for re-election to the Woodstock Library Board of Trustees.
Janine- Fallon Mower
Woodstock
FOR ONE AND ALL, NO VACATIONS ALLOWED
I wonder if the taxpayers of Woodstock know what is going on in town government. The supervisor’s office is closed until August 30 while the supervisor is on vacation. All calls are being forwarded to the town clerk’s office. The secretary is also on vacation. How convenient. I didn’t think the town offices were allowed to do that.
As there are water restrictions in town, I would like to know why the fire department is allowed to wash the fire trucks as well as their personal vehicles. They are on town water. They now wash them inside with the doors closed. Do they think we are that stupid? I would also like to know when they are going to water the community garden since they watered the plants on the Village Green. You do for one you do for all.
Andrew Wilson
Woodstock
OCCUPYING THE VILLAGE GREEN
Irony of ironies: the Mideast Crisis Response and perhaps others groups have been ‘occupying’ the Woodstock Village Green in order to conduct their demonstrations without requisite permission from the Town and the Woodstock Reformed Church. I’ll be magnanimous and grant that this long set of infractions amounts to nothing more than an oversight (though one could question if the Town Board and police were negligent in monitoring use of the space and protecting Church property). Nevertheless, it does bring to light the need for clarification over what is at stake here for Woodstock residents and visitors.
When, in a prior letter, I criticized these perpetual weekend demonstrations, I qualified that I was not addressing the merits of particular ideological arguments. Yet it is telling that letters in support of these Village Green protests sought as usual to justify political agendas and induce us to believe that the very purpose of our hamlet is to be the activist center of the Hudson Valley, posing a pseudo-argument that Woodstock has been, and ought always be, defined as such.
I suggest that we bear in mind that the 60s legacy — for which the very name Woodstock became iconic — was not only cast by multitudes of political protesters but by an equal number of individuals espousing peace, love and above all, tolerance. Imagine how many allies these modern day activist groups might attract by greeting passersby with flowers or song as so many did back then, as opposed to what they offer now which is nothing but noise. The Woodstock of fame was not an ideology but a concert, by definition espousing harmony. Is it possible today’s protestors have got it wrong? Is it possible that the vast majority of residents and visitors want nothing more than to enjoy a beautiful Village center around which to stroll, shop and relax, free from assaults to the eyes, ears and psyche? If anything perhaps to listen to sweet sounds of guitars reminiscent of a bygone era?
I imagine that groups such as Mideast Crisis Response, Women in Black and others will now carpet bomb this newspaper with responses to this letter citing how my suggestions seem to espouse a selling out, a dangerous complacency, a tendency to ignore the critical issues of the day. But really, when you look at their focus when compared to the much more serious issues of global warming, nuclear proliferation, lack of health care, lack of jobs etc. etc., well, you realize that the Israeli occupation, though deplorable to most of us, is by far not among the most critical issue Americans face and arguably does not merit airing during every weekend prime time slot in the heart of Woodstock, much less anywhere else.
Lee Wind
Zena
SUPPORT STUART AND KATRYNA
To all you bibliophiles and computer users…we both consider ourselves lucky in being able to serve as Town Board Liaisons to the Woodstock Library. Stuart Auchincloss and Katryna Barber are running for re-election to the Library Board and we both have personally experienced their dedication, involvement, and forward vision in their efforts to help the Library.
We both have first-hand knowledge in the time and energy these two candidates give to the Library and we endorse their continuation as members of the Library Board.
Please vote for Stuart and Katryna.
Terrie Rosenblum, Cathy Magarelli, Woodstock Town Board
Woodstock
EXTREMISTS ARE NOT THE MAJORITY
The 9/11 was indeed a tragedy for a lot of people. And all the discussion about the mosque near Ground Zero does not make it any better for anyone. But I have a few questions: How many Moslems were in the towers and were killed? How many Moslems were in the rescuers, firemen, etc who helped in the aftermath? And how many of them are suffering health problems for their efforts?
And finally, how many Christian churches and Jewish synagogues are nearer to Ground Zero than the mosque? Would you have them moved or torn down?
I think we have to be careful about treating the vast majority of any group the way its extremists deserve to be treated. The vast majority on Moslems want peace and co-existence as much as the majority of the rest of mankind, I believe.
Bill Brandt
Woodstock
SUNFLOWER-FOOD PANTRY SUCCESS
Last Saturday was a very successful volunteer day enjoyed by all. Some volunteers enjoyed the day enough to continue their volunteer efforts during the celebration. Judy Fox, Lisa Calcagno, and Barry Greco were outside Sunflower Natural Foods in Woodstock collecting donations for the pantry while Maryanne Wrolsen had a table at the celebration itself.
Thank you to everyone who worked the tables collecting food and funds with which to buy foods. And thank you to everyone who donated foods and/or funds. When you donate funds outside the Sunflower, food is purchased inside the Sunflower for the pantry. We all thank you for your generosity.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
SUPPORT THE LIBRARY BUDGET
I joined the Woodstock Library’s Board of Trustees two years ago because, well, I had so taken advantage of our Library’s policy of not charging for overdue books, I felt it was time to give back. I’ve loved libraries since I was a child, but it wasn’t until I was elected to the Board and started getting several long emails each week from the New York Library Association that I came to fully appreciate what an important role a library plays in a democracy, in communities, and in our community. How libraries (including ours) are used more than ever during hard economic times, while federal and state government is cutting library funding.
There are innumerable stories of how people’s lives have been changed and even saved by the sanctuary of a library and all the resources it offers, including its helpful librarians. Our Library, though it’s swelling at the seams of its aging building, has something to offer everybody, the most used of any public building in Woodstock. At any time of the day it’s bustling with activity, filled with Woodstockers of all ages, interests and socio-economic levels.
After some years of challenges, the present Board of Trustees has made it a priority to open up communication with the community we represent, while keeping the Library and its aging facility up and running to serve the many needs of its users. We understand that in this uncertain economic climate, everyone is concerned about taxes, so in designing the 2011 Library budget, we worked very hard to cut back wherever we could and juggle funds to keep the budget as low as possible. We unanimously passed a budget only 3.9 percent more than last year’s. For the average Woodstock home, assessed at $250,000, this will increase your library tax (a very small portion of your overall tax) 3.4 percent, just $3.07 for the year, less than 26¢ per month.
What does this buy you? Free access to practical and scholarly information, entertainment, old and new books, CDs, DVDs, books on tape; free inter-library loans, often delivered overnight, from all the libraries of the Mid-Hudson system and beyond; free use of up-to-date computers, internet and Wi-Fi; interesting programs for toddlers and kids, teens, seniors and the general population; and free meeting space for a variety of non-profit groups as well as free loans of audio-visual equipment. (Did you know that a good library like ours raises real estate values?)
If this year’s budget doesn’t pass, we’ll have to cut back on our innovative children’s programs, we’ll have to pass the charge the library pays for inter-library loans onto borrowers, and we’ll have to cut back on new acquisitions to our collections.
You have a chance to vote for this budget on Thursday, September 2 from noon-10 p.m. and I urge you to approve it. Your Library needs your vote! Voting is at the Library; absentee ballots are available.
Two of our Trustees, Katryna Barber and Stuart Auchincloss, are running for re-election to the Board, and I also urge you to vote for them. It takes time to learn how to be a Trustee and in the past two years, Woodstock Library Board members have developed a productive working relationship with each other. Katryna Barber, who heads the Building Committee, has hands-on experience in the building trade, and finds efficient, low-cost solutions to the inevitable repairs our old building keeps needing. Stuart Auchincloss, a retired lawyer and Vice-President of the Board, heads the Planning Committee, and participates in other Committees as well. He lives across the street from the Library and has given generously of his time for many years, ready in a pinch to come over and do whatever is needed. Woodstock benefits from Katryna and Stuart’s dedication and intelligence, and they both deserve to be re-elected.
Please put Thursday, September 2 on your calendar. Don’t forget to vote!
Cassia Berman, Woodstock Library Board Trustee
Woodstock
MONEY FOR SOMETHING
I wrote recently that the Town Board acted incorrectly in spending $39,400 to purchase lumber to repair a trail on the Comeau. It turns out that I was wrong. The Town’s attorney has stated that the use of those funds from subdivision fees was legal, although he also stated that the “ambiguous language in the Subdivision regs be addressed.” I’ve asked that that be done ASAP because any money coming in through those regs has to be clearly defined as to what use they will be put to.
Jay Wenk
Woodstock
VOLS SAY THANKS
Please convey our heartiest thanks to Sam Magarelli, Angela Sweet, their team and everyone involved for a marvelous Woodstock Volunteer’s Day!
Thank you to the Woodstock Fire Departments and Jeff and Marjory Bauml Family for their sponsorship of the outstanding fireworks. Once again, they Rocked!
Thank you to Bryan Roefs of Catskill Mountain Pizza and Dawn Sievers of the Corner Cupboard — along with the 20 additional local restaurants that generously donated food for the day.
Thank you musicians, sound engineers, Family staff and all who worked together to make us feel like ‘Honored Guests.’
How wonderful to mix and mingle and re-connect with longtime friends and colleagues. The ‘vibe’ of the day was definitely one of gratitude.
Our DBSK (Daily Bread Soup Kitchen) volunteers were so thrilled to be recognized and be part of such a full, community kind-of day.
Sam, as you have often noted, our staff never expects to be acknowledged — that’s not why they volunteer — but the fact that you did recognize and appreciate them means so very much. Thank you!
Many, many thanks to all of our Woodstock Volunteers! You are most appreciated.
Victoria Langling, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Director
Woodstock
OF AHAVA AND “RESEARCH” Paul Rehm of Greenville visited Woodstock recently and received a flier about Ahava, the Israeli company that makes bath products from the Dead Sea. The flier supported Israel’s right to sell the products.
So, Rehm reports, he did “research” — and found, he claims, that the flier was wrong.
Regarding that “research”: Did he consult distinguished professors at Columbia and Harvard? Did he fly to the Mideast and do his own research? Or did he consult a psychic who put him in touch with the late, unlamented Yassir Arafat? Or did he simply contemplate his own pupik until he came up with the answer?
Studies of anti-Semitic people show that most of them are poorly educated. They don’t exactly have Phi Beta Kappa keys from Ivy League colleges and postgraduate degrees from leading universities. So, of course, they haven’t the foggiest idea what true research really consists of.
I myself don’t save the time or the resources to do proper research into the charges and countercharges about Ahava.
But what makes all of Rehm’s claims so absurd is that his “research” supposedly shows that the Middle East Crisis Response Group is not devoted to destroying Israel. I imagine that his “research” consisted entirely of talking to members of that noxious organization, like Fred Nagel.
Well, does the group favor a two-state solution? Does it favor the continuing existence of a Jewish state?
Of course not. Its basic purpose is to destroy Israel.
For the truth about the Mideast, visit www.factsandlogic.org
Warren Boroson
Woodstock
RUN, DON’T WALK
Run, don’t walk to the Woodstock Fringe in the historic Byrdcliffe Theater if you want to laugh your head off. Mikhail Horowitz’s performances have amazed me for the past two decades. But this time with Good Buy, Columbus he’s raised the bar even higher. Rarely have I seen anything so funny, witty and intellectually stimulating. His sidekick Giles Malkine is hilarious as host of the poet society in the first act.
The only time I’ve every laughed so hard was last season when Bob Berky performed Out Of The Box at the Fringe. You’d better believe I’ve got tickets to see his imaginative one-man show again this season. In fact, I’m bringing a young friend so she can enjoy this wordless, hour-long laugh-a-thon.
Thanks, Woodstock Fringe for brightening my summer.
And while we’re thanking folks, let’s give a big hand to Sam Magarelli and his team plus all the musicians for the amazing Volunteers Picnic on Saturday.
Paula Silbey
Lake Hill
A GOOD JOE
In the past few months I have looked forward to reading Joe Nicholson’s intelligent, insightful, and informative translations of what is really going on at the town board.
I appreciate his honesty and his efforts to bring change to a much needed regime.
As a mother of young Woodstock children I fear for their future in this town.
The generation of us 40-something year old residents need to come together to save the town for our children, for ourselves, and for those who paved the way before us.
Go Joe! Go David McDonald! Go Sustainable Woodstock!
Maya Hambright
Woodstock
NICHOLSON FOR LIBRARY BOARD
I’m writing to you in my support of Joe Nicholson’s consideration for the board of trustees of the library. I’ve known Joe since he moved into my neighborhood. Joe certainly made it clear to me from our first encounter that he is a smart, lead worthy man who has a vibrant personality.
I believe Joe would be a trustworthy and dedicated trustee for the Woodstock Library and he should be elected.
Gene Gironda
Woodstock
MANY WAYS TO SERVE COMMUNITY
I have lived in Woodstock for 18 months and have served on the Farm Festival committee for 14 of those months, and on the Chamber of Commerce board for eight months. I have attended meetings and become interested and involved in other town committees and boards, and some of this involvement has been of a dissenting nature. I was reminded yesterday that Gandhi suggested that it is desirable to “make injustice visible,” and true to this direction, my dissent in Woodstock has been more visible than my less dissenting community involvement.
I did not go looking for an argument concerning RUPCO, but when I saw injustice, I wrote, I spoke out, and finally I sued. My lawsuit against the Planning Board should not define me as a negative person.
In my professional work, I write and publish alphabet books about specific cities, the idea behind the books being that cities represent the best of humanity, where people who are different coexist and cooperate, often in close quarters. The books’ goal is for very small children to grow up with a positive feeling about their city. I do not work alone: I have hundreds of “coauthors” across America’s inner cities, six and seven and eight year olds of all races and economic brackets who believe, correctly, that anybody can write a book, and share their ideas with the world. Some of the books are in two languages, suggesting that learning each other’s language (English and Spanish) is an ingredient of urban harmony. The books do well, but I certainly do not do this work for the money. I could have made a lot more money in many other professions.
I bring up my vocation in this letter in defense of recent accusations by Jim Charles Dougherty, who stated that my opposition to RUPCO’s project “appears to be rooted in economic or racial bigotry.” He could not have been more wrong. Please note that Jim Ethics Board Dougherty, in his professional life, identifies “non-performing” mortgages, meaning people whose properties are headed for foreclosure, and tips off banks and other potential “investors” to these “opportunities.” Pass the barf bag. Just because my position on RUPCO is a dissenting one does not mean that I prey on the poor and help the wealthy. That person is Jim Charles Dougherty.
Another person in Woodstock who is seen as a dissenter, but who shouldn’t be seen as negative, is Joe Nicholson. Like me, Joe does not have a history of political activism. Like me, it was only after moving to Woodstock and witnessing unacceptable behavior and judgment in town government, that he became involved as a dissenter. Joe is running for library trustee, and I cannot think of a person better suited to this position. Being a successful lawyer, Joe is incredibly gifted in the arts of research and communication, so I think that long-term development of library resources and outreach is right up his alley. Please vote for Joe.
Robin Segal
Woodstock
TOWARDS BALANCING THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Woodstock is fortunate to have three excellent candidates seeking two library board seats. It’s a win/win proposition for Woodstock as all three candidates are capable to do an excellent job. Incumbents Stuart Auchincloss and Kathryn Barber have a proven track record. We should all be grateful for their hard work and accomplishments. Joe Nicholson is running for the first time, yet has quickly established a reputation as an energetic voice against mendacity.
For the long term, to help balance the current political landscape in Woodstock, I will vote for Nicholson because of his common sense approach and challenging nature to do the right thing for Woodstock’s residents. Most importantly I envision this as a stepping-stone for Nicholson into Woodstock politics, to gain experience and make a track record for his own future service to the Town.
There is a leadership crisis in this Town even though the town is packed with excellent talent. The library board is a good example of such talent, as well as the three candidates running in the September 2 election. Although it’s a tough choice, I would like to see a bit of movement among current leaders in our civic organizations. In doing so, we allow for leadership development for newer but no less capable and willing volunteers to become engaged in a meaningful way in the community.
In terms of specific changes to our library, I would expect Nicholson’s contributions to reflect those he has already made in our community, bringing a reasonable, fact-based, common sense set of observations and suggestions on a variety of issues, such as adherence to the spirit and intent of the Comeau conservation easement and its stewardship amendment, as well as the proposed summer curfew. He regularly attends Town Board meetings, and he followed up his suggestions on the curfew by attending the first-ever meeting for constructive dialogue between members of our police force and members of our youth community. Furthermore, he has already set in motion improvements in relevant materials and programs offered at our library and in our schools, in an effort to inspire and educate our young people about conservation principles. The more people become educated about these issues, the more likely we will make the right decisions concerning our own easement.
Likewise, Nicholson wants to see more forums to engage the public to participate in local government and their policies. For example, Nicholson can ably and single-handedly lead such a forum on The Freedom of Information Act (FOIL process), as a means of feeling more empowered to become a participant in government. All residents should know this process to get the answers and information they are seeking. I can testify that our current administration makes this harder, instead of easier, by circumventing the rules as written. Nicholson is an excellent choice because he will not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Jay Cohen
Woodstock
“UGLY” DEMONSTRATION? Last week, Barbara Moorman, from the property committee of the Woodstock Reformed Church, mentioned in a letter that there was an “ugly” demonstration by the “Mid Eastern Crisis Respond Group.” I imagine she was talking about the Middle East Crisis Response (MECR). Might as well get names straight, if nothing else.
There were members of MECR on the Green doing street theater to educate the public about Ahava products being sold here in Woodstock — products illegally produced in Occupied Palestine. They were also spreading the word about the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign protesting such products.
But while there were activists from MECR on the public sidewalk, there were also about five or six people from a local Zionist group, supporting “buying” Ahava products in counter protest. If anything was “ugly” it was the confusing combination of members from both groups arguing with each other.
But what is truly ugly is the continued U.S. Government support, with our tax dollars, of the Israeli military occupation, oppression and exploitation of Palestinian lands that has been going on for 62 years now. What is ugly is the theft of land, checkpoints, the racism, within and without Israel proper against people of Arab descent; the recent killing of humanitarian activists on the high seas trying to bring aid to Gaza; the massacre last year in Gaza during operation “Cast Lead”; the bombs, white phosphorus, tanks, planes, Caterpillar bulldozers, made in the U.S.A. — used to demolish Palestinian homes — all this I find ugly.
Ugly is the ignorant, unquestioning and automatic support of some of my Jewish brethren Of Israel’s policies, no matter what they are.
As far as Barbara Moorman’s objections, I wonder if she actually was there that day, or if someone spoke to her afterwards, because if she was, again I wonder how it was that she said nothing then to anyone about the public sidewalk being Church property?
I also wonder why, when the two policemen came over to warn one of the counter protesters who had just shoved one of the women from MECR, why the police at that time did not ask any of the demonstrators for written permission to be on the public sidewalk?
Traditionally, there are things going on every weekend on the Green and adjoining public sidewalk for years, as long as I can remember. It is one of the things that make Woodstock interesting and colorful. I doubt if all of them have gotten the consent of the church and town and if they all have make a “written request.”
Tarak Kauff
Woodstock
JOE NICHOLSON FOR LIBRARY BOARD
I believe Joe’s laser-like intellect in concert with his significant organizational skills and dogged determination could only benefit our library’s future and Woodstock as a whole.
Lee Danziger
Woodstock
THURMAN IS A DOER
I do not often write letters to Feedback but, I did feel called upon to write this one. As a member and chairman of the Woodstock Democratic Committee, I encountered one member who could always be counted upon to work and contribute her time and efforts to whatever tasks we needed performed. That member was Thurman Greco. She is equally dedicated to our community at large with her monumental efforts to help feed the needy.
150 families per week have food because she cares. Thurman Greco is running for re-election to the Woodstock Democratic Committee in district 4. Thurman is a doer. She is running against a talker (and a frequent letter writer). Thurman Greco epitomizes the best among us. To those of you in District 4, please take the time to vote on September 14 and vote for Thurman Greco. Not all of us can do as much as she does but, we can all do our parts by voting for Thurman Greco and her running mate Steve Knight. We need them both.
Sasha Gillman
Shady
‘DEFACTO’ PUBLIC SPACE
Barbara Mullen questions our right to demonstrate on the Woodstock Green without a permit, citing that the town center is church property. The privatization of public space is an epidemic in this country now, with the “charterization” of public schools and the wholesale giveaway of public forestland resources. However our green is “defacto” public space and the selective enforcement of rules is illegal, no matter how “ugly” the demonstration is. How much of Woodstock taxes have been spent designing, building and maintaining the community space there?
How ironic that there is an attempt to silence demonstrations seeking to bring attention to the need for peace in the very shadow of the town “peace pole.”
DeeDee Halleck
Willow
HAND WRITTEN, HAND DELIVERED TO D.C. As I write to our New York Senator’s Schumer and Gillibrand, I actually hope that they will personally read them, yet more questions keep on popping up.
In representing the Greenpeace members of the Mid Hudson Valley, I write to our Senators to and let them know that we will strongly support them in fighting for environmental justice and a clean energy future for NYS and the entire US. Is this real for them, too?
Having lived in Ulster County for over 20 years, I have seen some tremendous ‘grassroots’ victories for the environment: Hudson Clearwater, no new cement plants on the Hudson and the clean- up of the GE PCB’s to name a few. Do they fully comprehend the power of the grassroots movements?
The chronic health related issues and permanent damage to the environment must be acknowledged, stopped and retired. Do our Senators know there is a growing awareness of the dangers and recklessness related to ‘dirty’ fossil fuel extraction and continued use of them?
It is becoming more evident to the constituents that high powered corporate lobbyists are manipulating our policy making system and are pushing harder for expanding the ‘dirty’ fossil fuels industry even as all the clean energy solutions are now available and ready for the workforce. To whom do they listen?
Cleaning up Congress is our first goal. Can we count on our Senators to spearhead the restoration of integrity and honor in the House?
Stephen Johnson
Woodstock
JOE ASKS FOR YOUR VOTE
While “Please may I have your vote?” is obviously my pitch, I am thrilled to be writing in the afterglow of our annual Volunteers Day celebration.
The volunteerism in our community is extraordinary, as is the level of creativity, experience and talent. We benefit enormously from a wealth of organizations filled with generous volunteers who together may rightfully claim the spirit that we all recognize as Woodstock.
Growing up in the Midwest, I learned from an early age that purposeful engagement in civic affairs was an important, fundamental part of a fulfilling life. The tradition of civic engagement is undoubtedly one of the reasons Woodstock attracted me, from my first visit over 20 years ago. Some of my dearest friends in town I met at one benefit or charitable event or another.
Since deciding to run for a spot on our library’s Board of Trustees I have found myself mostly being asked the same two questions: “Who are you?” and “Why are you running for this position?”
These are fair questions. Many folks know me only through my letters in this paper, my participation at public meetings, or through my work on issues I consider important to maintaining the spirit and culture of Woodstock. But I am not a seasoned political activist. It wasn’t until moving here “full-time” that I attended my first Town Board meeting and became active politically. It happened by chance, and was borne of a sense both of extreme necessity and urgency, not a desire to enter politics.
The truth is the library is more in line with my interests and talents than any other office at this point in time. While I have no beef with the current state of our library, and the current Board is rightfully deserving of credit for very solid stewardship, there is always room for improvement and I believe I could truly make a useful contribution there.
For example, I have already suggested to our director, Amy Raff, that we should add to our exciting collection some additional materials on conservation principles generally, the land conservation movement and its history, land trusts and stewardship of land. This, I believe, is a pragmatic suggestion given that Woodstockers voted quite some time ago to place the Comeau property under an easement as a means of conserving and protecting this most valuable piece of real estate.
Additionally, since we took this action for the purpose of protecting this property “in perpetuity,” it follows that we as a community should proactively take steps to help ensure that that great purpose may be met. We must provide as much education and encouragement as we can, with the hope of inspiring our youth to carry out and carry on the principles of conservation, preservation, open space, land management and stewardship expressed in the easement and the many documents and historical records left by volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring the easement to life.
I likewise advocate more regular instructional forums on this subject for everyone (and
I’d be pleased to be among the presenters). Clearly the more people in our community who become educated about these issues, the more likely they will participate (as the drafters of both the easement and its amendment intended) when it comes to making the right decisions concerning this “family jewel” of Woodstock.
Similarly, I would like to see one or more library forums on New York’s freedom of information laws, public officer’s laws, and even our basic municipal laws. Many fellow Woodstockers have expressed a sense of frustration and lack of empowerment either because of an unpleasant try at using these laws, or simply because they don’t know how to go about the process.
So I ask for your vote on September 2. Please look for notices around town indicating where I will be meeting with anyone who’d like to chat more about these and other issues, and I am happy to set up other times as well. I encourage anyone who wishes to contact me directly to send me an email at JoeNicholson2010@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
Joe Nicholson
Woodstock
TALK TO JOE
It is my pleasure to write a letter in support of Joe Nicholson for election to our Library Board of Trustees. I believe that Joe would be a fantastic addition to our Library Board. He is committed to the principles and ideals that represent the best of Woodstock, including volunteerism and constructive engagement with civic leaders and organizations on issues of importance to our town. A fresh new face on the board, with his intelligence and leadership experience would without a doubt be a valuable asset to our library and those who enjoy the use of its many resources. As we move forward, it is important for those with experience to share and pass down their expertise to new folks, ensuring the future of this valuable resource. I encourage anyone who loves our library to meet and talk with Joe, and vote for him!
Tim Blossom
Glenford
ATTACK NOT THE FAULT OF THE DOG
We are exceptionally blessed in Woodstock to have the many wonderful existing trails on the Comeau available to one and all — and thanks to the many volunteers, past and present.
If my fellow dog walkers do not comply with the local and State leash laws, and if they do not want the laws to be enforced by police patrolling the trails, the least we can all be expected to do is to keep all dogs fully under control.
This morning a large dog — off the leash — went for my small and elderly female dog, who was on a leash. In addition to my dog’s leg being injured, she is also visibly affected and suffering from shock, as am I. And I am now seriously concerned for her welfare.
Unless I can be certain that this will not happen again, we are naturally both left fearful and distressed at the prospect of ever continuing our regular favorite walks on the Comeau. Dogs will be dogs, for sure, but this was not the fault of the dog. Frankly, shame on any owner who inflicts this result upon others — it is not one that money can pay for. I hope the person in question will appreciate the fact that I chose not to file a report to the police, which was entirely my right to do.
Judith Asphar
Woodstock
Post a Comment