Letters to the Editor August 4

Facts should come first

The Millerton News printed a letter to the editor in its July 28 issue sent in by Bill Breen. A person sending in a letter to the editor is welcome to express an opinion, but it should represent facts as well. Mr. Breen did not express facts.

Mr. Breen described visitors having negative experiences due to “speed trap tactics.” He felt that “the officer” would likely believe each one (ticket) is justified, each going 38 or 43 mph through “our” village. He equated his perceived policing tactics in the South during the 1960s and 1970s to that of the Millerton Police Department today.

I have watched Hollywood movies, but because I have never lived outside of this county, I am unaware of what tactics are used down South, or have been used down South in the past. The writer wanted to make a point to the editor that he has never seen an officer on one of the donated bicycles for that “friendly presence in town” doing community policing. He did point out that he sees the officer in an air-conditioned cruiser on Route 22.

Here are some facts:

The Millerton Police Department received a traffic safety grant for the second consecutive year. The grant was provided by the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board. Additionally, we received a grant for seat belt enforcement this year as well. The grant(s) fund dedicated traffic safety patrols or seat belt patrols. There were 12 hours of traffic safety patrols funded for the month of July. Traffic safety patrols for July represented 3 percent of the total hours that were scheduled for Millerton Police Officers.

During the month of July, the lowest speed written in a 30 mph zone was 45 and the highest speed written was 57 mph. The average of the tickets issued in 30 mph zones was 48.44 mph, or 18.44 miles over the speed limit.

The majority (85 to 90 percent) of the tickets written to motorists on North Elm Avenue (aka Route 22) are issued to motorists traveling north from the intersection of Main Street (aka Route 44). This is not an area that goes from 55 mph to 30 mph. Those traveling from the south enter into a 45 mph zone and then into a 30 mph zone which is well marked. Those entering from the east on Route 44 go from a 40 mph area in Connecticut to a 40 mph area in New York and then into a 30 mph area in the village. Those coming from the north travel from a 55 mph zone, pass a sign advising of a speed zone ahead, a 30 mph speed sign, a village of Millerton sign, a marked police car with reflective stripes that says “POLICE,” and by the time they reach the second 30 mph speed sign and they have not reduced their speed going by our community park, they are stopped and issued a traffic ticket.

The Millerton Police Department does actively participate in community policing. The definition of community policing, as stated on the U.S. Department of Justice, is “a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder and fear of crime.”

The Millerton Police Department has used the bicycles that were donated to us by Bike New York. We have found multiple business doors opened, reduced incidents of damage reports along the Rail Trail in the village of Millerton and have interrupted in progress crimes being committed in front of local businesses.  

During the month of July, Millerton officers arrested four individuals for alcohol-related offenses, answered many 911 calls and were dispatched to multiple complaints. A Millerton officer was dispatched by the 911 center to a report of a serious accident. Upon the officer’s arrival, the driver was found dead at the scene. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and excessive speed appeared to be a cause for the accident.

I understand that everyone has an opinion when it comes to police matters. I started my 25th year as a police officer in January of this year. I have been a part of many accident investigations over the years that have resulted in deaths. Many of these accidents have been a result of speed, intoxication and lack of seat belt use. Communities need to remember that if the police are not out there enforcing traffic laws, they will likely see a rise in roadway deaths. Yes, community policing is important and so are traffic safety patrols.

Mr. Breen, have you ever sat down and given any ideas to the Millerton police chief or attended a Village Board meeting to address your ideas for change or improvement in the village? Is it easier to twist things around to make the police officer out as the bad guy for doing his or her job? No one likes getting a traffic ticket, but it is one of the jobs that police do and are responsible for.

I would like to voice my appreciation to the village of Millerton for providing us with police cars that have air conditioning. We leave for our police jobs with our bulletproof vests on, say goodbye to our wives (or husbands) and children, in hopes we will return safely. It is appreciated that while we are wearing these sweltering vests to ensure our safe return home, that the village of Millerton has kept us as comfortable as possible during our tours of duty, providing us with air conditioned patrol vehicles. Thank you Millerton!

This letter does not represent the views of the village of Millerton or the Village Police Department; it represents my views.

Sgt. David A. Rudin

Millerton Village

Police Department

Millerton

Editor’s note: The writer has been with this police department since November 2000.

 

Irondale Schoolhouse benefitted

Merrill Sindler came to us in early June with a plan to help raise funds for the Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse.

In return for finding a gallery space large enough to accommodate his art show, Merrill generously pledged 30 percent of sales to the schoolhouse. We asked Bob Quinlan if he could help and he immediately provided the gallery at no cost to Merrill.

Thank you, Mr. Quinlan, for your generosity. And our sincerest appreciation to Merrill Sindler for his extraordinary generosity. This show was a great success; it has generated over $3,000 for the Irondale Schoolhouse.

A special thanks to Henry Klimowicz, Bob Pidkameny, Scott Belter and Andrew Gates for their help in setting up the show.

Ralph Fedele, president

Catherine Fenn, vice president

Jay Reynolds, treasurer

Richard Hermans, secretary

Henry Smedley, trustee

John Brunese, trustee

Friends of the Irondale Schoolhouse

Board of Directors

Millerton
 

Sponsors were willing to back a new baseball team

Both of us started the Amenia Warriors baseball team new for 2011. As part of the Elite Baseball League in New York state, we all travel to different counties including Orange, Ulster and Columbia, as well as Dutchess. The team is for players 15 and under, of which we both have a son on the team.

The reason for us starting the team was to get the kids exposed to baseball on a different level other than just local teams. The league also plays in the fall starting in September, which is another reason for starting the team; the kids have a longer season thereby keeping their skills going, and, of course, more playing time. The young players have already learned a lot and are looking forward to the fall season.

The team would like to thank the sponsors for their generous support this year, including Amenia Archery, Dunlop Realty, Horse Leap, Ritchie’s Deli and Millbrook Winery; it will again be looking for sponsors in the fall to help defer some of the costs to keep it as affordable as possible for the players.

DJ Reilly  and Mike Downing

Amenia Warriors

Amenia

 

Art exhibit at Maxon Mills looks very promising

I spent some time today viewing the open studios and the seven floors of art exhibits at Maxon Mills, home of the Wassaic Project, as they prepare for their summer festival this coming weekend.

As both an artist and a local for over two decades, I find myself ridiculously grateful that Eve and Bowie have created this perennial gathering of artists and musicians.

It can be so tempting to judge art. It is almost reflexive sometimes to find flaws when confronted with the creation of another. In that default response, a form of self-preservation is at play, which does not serve us.

The minotaur sculpture in Kent has met with some genuine scorn. As a sculptor who works with uncut stone, I love the piece, and I know that Joseph Jaskolka worked hard to create it.

I would ask those who feel strongly against the piece to look within: There is probably an urge to create which is the germ of your (misplaced) anger and unrest. The minotaur is a very respectable piece: It adds some mystery and genuine power to Kent.

Once I gave my daughter a suggestion for a drawing she had completed. Our friend Annie Schapira said to me: “Make your own!” Sound advice I have not forgotten. Highlighting the perceived shortcomings of others, in life and in art, is often a smokescreen. Far better to pick up a pencil.

At Maxon Mills, you can walk up seven flights to a fabric dreamworld. The work is extraordinary; the place, woven and spun together, is unique on the planet. I have not seen a fabric artist this talented since my residency at the Haslla Museum in Korea, and here the installation waits, right in Wassaic.

In this show, there is a magnificent labyrinth made of shirts. Walking through its narrow pathways, one can feel as if steps are preordained. But it is not so. How interesting that in the labyrinth, mythical home of the minotaur, we are free to shake off habitual thinking, we are free to make new choices.

 On the first floor, you can put on protective booties and step into an environment where you literally feel the physical experience of infinite hope. My hope is that folks in this area will be friendly to art and will welcome innovation and diverse creativity. Creating art is a form of love: Try it today.

Karl Saliter

Cornwall Bridge

 

Many hands helped make carnival and parade a success

During the first week in July, we sponsored our 85th annual Carnival and Parade, one of our most important fundraisers of the year. The weather could not have been better for our parade Friday night, drawing a large crowd.

The entire operation could not happen if it were not for the generous help from our neighbors and businesses. At this time we would like to extend our thanks to the following for their help (and apologize to anyone we may have missed): Rocky Ducillo, Judge Manning, the Brookside Restaurant, the Town of Amenia, the membership of Wassaic Fire Company and Rescue Squad, Millerton Fire Department and fire police, J.H. Ketcham Hose Company, Sharon Fire Department, Norman Moore and everyone who helped work the carnival.

The food booth appreciated the help of Randy Christiansen, Alan Carroll and Tom “Tucker” Dahoney for their help on parade night. We also thank Paraco Gas for their help and installation of the propane and to Harlem Valley Sand & Gravel and Reardon Briggs for the use of their vehicles for the parade.

Special thanks also to Sears of Amenia, Marty Conklin’s Garage and Peggy McEnroe for donating toward our raffle. We also want to thank The Millerton News, Poughkeepsie Journal and radio station WHDD for great press coverage. We also appreciate the assistance of Jim Devine for the loudspeakers, Dave Gamache for announcing the parade, Gary and Maureen Bonds for videotaping and Jack’s Auto Service for lending us their flatbed for our reviewing stand.

Finally, we thank all of the fire departments and organizations for marching in our parade and to the Town Board, dignitaries and county officials who made up the reviewing stand. Thanks also to the townspeople for their cooperation and for coming out for four nights to attend our special event.

Andy Murphy

On behalf of the Amenia Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary

Amenia

Latest News

Bobbie C. Palmer

LAKEVILLE ­— Bobbie C. Palmer, born in Lakeville on Jan. 13, 1948, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife, Marva J. Palmer, son Marc (Sandra) Palmer, daughter Erica (Fleming) Wilson, two grandchildren, Andrew Yost and Ciara Wilson, and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Francis Palmer and four brothers; Henry Palmer, William Palmer, John Palmer and Walter Palmer Jr.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and laughter that will be cherished by his family and those closest to him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Finding ‘The Right Stuff’ for a documentary

Tom Wolfe

Film still from “Radical Wolfe” courtesy of Kino Lorber

If you’ve ever wondered how retrospective documentaries are made, with their dazzling compilation of still images and rare footage spliced between contemporary interviews, The Moviehouse in Millerton, New York, offered a behind-the-scenes peek into how “the sausage is made” with a screening of director Richard Dewey’s biographical film “Radical Wolfe” on Saturday, March 2.

Coinciding with the late Tom Wolfe’s birthday, “Radical Wolfe,” now available to view on Netflix, is the first feature-length documentary to explore the life and career of the enigmatic Southern satirist, city-dwelling sartorial icon and pioneer of New Journalism — a subjective, lyrical style of long-form nonfiction that made Wolfe a celebrity in the pages of Esquire and vaulted him to the top of the best-seller lists with his drug-culture chronicle “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” and his first novel, “The Bonfire of The Vanities.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Art on view this March

“Untitled” by Maureen Dougherty

New Risen

While there are area galleries that have closed for the season, waiting to emerge with programming when the spring truly springs up, there are still plenty of art exhibitions worth seeking out this March.

At Geary Contemporary in Millerton, founded by Jack Geary and Dolly Bross Geary, Will Hutnick’s “Satellite” is a collection of medium- and large-scale acrylic on canvas abstracts that introduce mixtures of wax pastel, sand and colored pencil to create topographical-like changes in texture. Silhouettes of leaves float across seismic vibration lines in the sand while a craterous moon emerges on the horizon, all like a desert planet seen through a glitching kaleidoscope. Hutnick, a resident of Sharon and director of artistic programming at The Wassaic Project in Amenia, New York, will discuss his work at Geary with New York Times art writer Laura van Straaten Saturday, March 9, at 5 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less