Letters to the Editor June 9

People assured success

Indian Rock Schoolhouse, Amenia’s historic one-room schoolhouse, has had a variety of events recently with many people to thank for making them such a big success.

Ann Linden is the voice and inspiration behind our wonderful schoolhouse, so thanks to her tireless devotion, enthusiastic leadership and great organizational skills, the schoolhouse is a community gem. Saying thank you to Ann Linden just doesn’t seem adequate, so please remember to volunteer as a way for  all of us to show our appreciation.

Thanks to Leslie Rohan, Amenia’s Freshtown store manager, for allowing us to hold a successful bake sale on May 14. This could not have been accomplished without her and all those wonderful people who donated such great baked goods. A special thanks to Waneta Harris and Janet Hotaling for assisting at the sale.

On May 15, Scout leader Dawn Klingner organized a gathering of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts to clean the interior and spruce up the exterior of Indian Rock. Thanks to Dawn, Karlie, Zach, Kat, Amelia, Dylan and Summer for doing a great job. A special thanks to Rudy Eschbach for the garden preparation, plus Ken Hale and Dan Sheehan, board members.

Arbor Day observances were canceled in April due to the weather conditions and instead held on a beautiful sunny day on May 27. Thank you to Andy Durbridge, who planted the shrubs in advance of our new Arbor Day date. This rescheduled event could not have happened without Beth Murphy, Webutuck school librarian, who went above and beyond in getting the new date set, coordinating with the bus garage manager and teaching a class to all of Webutuck’s first- and second-graders that were in attendance. Thanks to all of the teachers, teacher’s aides Marilyn and Stephanie for handling the old-time games, the bus driver and especially all of the students who made this a day to remember.

Each year this event would not be possible without the support of the administration at Webutuck Central School District and all of those who worked at the many tasks behind the scene to create a great experience for their students.

Thanks to Mary Ellen Downey and Barbara Wrobel for planting with the children and Cathy Benjamin for helping with the games. Thank you to the Bank of Millbrook for donating baked cookies and Mary, the branch manager, for delivering them.

If I have accidentally left off someone’s name to thank, please know that whatever your contribution was to make these events successful, it is greatly appreciated.

Vicki Benjamin

Indian Rock Schoolhouse, President

Amenia  
 

 

Nature is against same-sex marriage

This letter is in answer to “Promises from state Senate” by Leo Blackman.

You say that marriage is important to you because you live with your partner. Isn’t that what you are doing now? You mention living together through good times and times not so happy. Would legality change that?

What seems to bother you is who gets the money in the event of death or sickness. And you are a little uncomfortable living as you are in a state that considers your lifestyle illegal.

 It is interesting that you regret not being able to have a wedding. You realize that a ceremony does not make a marriage. Much preparation, much planning, much money may be spent to make a memorable occasion, but no guarantee of satisfaction.

You blame religion for the law against same-sex marriage. In reality it is nature.

Elizabeth Prause

Millerton

 

What to expect in the fall elections

I would like to use this opportunity to address my fellow residents of North East and Millerton regarding the coming fall election.

I have decided to run for re-election as town supervisor. We in North East are not immune to the difficult economic problems our nation faces. I believe we need an experienced leader to address today’s challenges and seek tomorrow’s promise.

A primary responsibility of the supervisor is to be the town’s chief fiscal officer. I have been directly involved and exercised fiscal restraint in developing the town’s annual budgets and overseeing its spending plans. I have worked to keep town taxes to the minimum.

I know that taxpayers are being pushed to the limit and I will remain vigilant in protecting your interests. If the property tax cap that is being discussed in Albany is enacted, it will be even more important to have a supervisor who has a clear understanding of municipal finance and budgeting.

Our town can continue to have a strong future if it has experienced leadership guiding it. Since my time on the town Planning Board, I have believed sound planning is the cornerstone of a strong local economy. That planning has played an important role in our community becoming a leading commercial center in the region.  While we build on that success, we must not overlook the other challenges we face.  

Currently we have the opportunity to adapt and re-use the old elementary school building in Millerton to serve municipal and civic purposes. We have begun work on that, but much more work is needed. To avoid an unneeded tax burden, it will take sound planning and financial management to make this possible.

In the past, I have carefully managed the finances of two major capital projects, the landfill closure and water district construction, protecting our community’s environment and improving its water supply. I was directly engaged in bringing those projects to a successful completion and within budget. I will apply that experience and those skills to the elementary school project.

I feel it is a privilege to serve as your town supervisor. I am a lifelong resident of North East and have a deep understanding for what it means to live and work here. I also appreciate what others see in our community that draws them here to be part of our town.

North East continues to need a leader with sound financial management and planning skills. It needs a leader who knows what’s required to protect the interests of all the people in our diverse community. It needs a leader with the determination, desire and time to meet our challenges and help us realize our promise.

I believe I am that person and so I seek your support for my candidacy for town supervisor. Together, we can continue to accomplish many good things and make life better for all North East residents.

David Sherman

North East Town Supervisor

Millerton

 

Still shaking my head over what people do and say

After reading the May 26 edition of The Millerton News, I can only shake my head and wonder what is wrong with some of these people.

In Stefanie Giglio’s article, “Murder suspect arrested in Millerton,” Mayor John Scutieri was “very disappointed to hear the suspect was hiding in Millerton.” I wonder why the mayor was disappointed? Crime is all over Millerton and the town of North East, and sticking your head in the sand doesn’t make it go away.

One prime example is just down the road a bit. GRJH Inc. is allowed to operate an illegal Sunoco station and convenience store. The article, by Whitney Joseph, “GRJH misses appearance before Planning Board,” states  the station “has been operating illegally since it opened for business a number of years ago.” I find it hard to believe that the Planning Board has no teeth to handle this.

Sending letters from attorneys and clients to the Planning Board chairman stating “his client does not want to come” to meetings sounds like contempt of court and should be looked upon and handled as such.

What truly surprises me is the fact that other local business owners aren’t up in arms about this. After they themselves have complied with the board’s requests, to watch this fiasco must be eating some of them up inside. The board needs to put the bite on this, and  here are a few ideas that they might have overlooked:

1. How can an illegal business get a permit to serve or handle food? Have the county pull the permit.

2. How can an illegal business sell beer? Have the state pull the license.

3. How can an illegal service station store large amounts of fuel? Have the state fire marshal get involved.

More important than the above, have the proper agencies impose fines. Mr. Nolan’s clients are out to make money legally, or as their actions show, illegally. Most local folks know who GRJH Inc. are, and you would think trained legal people would know better than to try a stunt like this.

Criminals are criminals no matter what clothes they wear or what they legally do for a living. It’s their actions that make them criminals.

Money talks, and GRJH Inc. is telling the Planning Board to kiss off. It’s time to end this criminal act by telling GRJH to kiss off.

 Ed Covert

Amenia

Planting Day was a success

Amenia’s Planting Day was a great success due to the help of the following Enhancement Committee members and volunteers, who planted the flower barrels in Amenia Memorial Day weekend.  

At the top of the thank you list are Ana Hadjuk, who designed the barrel plantings this year, donating her expertise, labor and some of the plants; Herb Eschbach, who coordinated transportation of plants, donated compost, prepared barrels, extended, planted, and maintains the flower beds at Fountain Square all summer long; Kevin Cassone and Gretchen Hitselberger and adjacent businessmen and residents, for watering the plants throughout the summer; and Charley Paley and staff, who have been growing beautiful plants for us since February, donated barrels at cost and cheerfully accommodated many last-minute special requests.

Thanks also to Mark Doyle for preparing and maintaining the water fountain; Ian Holback for donating several yards of mulch; Tom Werner for donating potting soil and preparing 19 barrels in Wassaic; Daniel Carello for adding his iron planter to our planting scheme in Wassaic; and Linda White at Sears for providing gardening gloves and trowels for volunteers.

Planting volunteers included Victoria Perotti, Bob and Darlene Riemer, Janet and David Reagon, Ian and Kim Holback and their two children, Marilyn and Noe, Erica Doyle, Megan Bailey, Norman Cayea, CJ Hoss and Sunny McCool, Bill Flood, David, Melissa, Maddy, Andrew, Helen and Harold Noah and faithful Dan Sheehan and his five enthusiastic students from Maplebrook School.

Thanks also to Maureen and Gary Bonds and Judy Carlson for publicizing the event; The Millerton News for promoting our efforts; the Amenia Highway Department for rearranging and removing barrels; and The Garden Club of Amenia, Ltd., for providing the town with a 250-gallon watering tank.

We also thank those who have added their own curbside gardens and planters to further enhance our town centers.

 Vicki Doyle

Amenia Town

Councilwoman

Wassaic
 

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less