Letters to the Editor - December 1

Rising food prices hurt

Dutchess County residents are feeling the impact of rising food prices along with the rest of the country. Low-income families spend a higher percentage of their incomes on groceries and have been hit hardest by soaring gasoline and heating costs and jumps in the price of staples like milk, eggs and bread. These families in our community may soon be facing a “Heat or Eat” dilemma — choosing between food and fuel.

Food stamps are the first line of defense against hunger in our community. The food stamp program not only cushions the hardships on vulnerable people who face a constant struggle against hunger, but also provides a timely boost to our local economy. Every $5 in new food stamp benefits generates $9.20 in total community spending. Monthly food stamp benefits are spent in local grocery stores and at farmers markets, supporting our local retailers and farmers.

In order to help eligible people get the nutrition they need, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of 37 community-based agencies in New York state that have been awarded funding through the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) by Hunger Solutions New York, an anti-hunger advocacy organization. Through outreach and education activities, NOEP coordinators assist about 25,000 new households every year to obtain food stamps.

Hunger reduces a child’s ability to learn, decreases a worker’s productive energy and weakens an elderly person’s resistance to disease. Increasing awareness about and participation in the food stamp program in Dutchess County helps low-income families in our community put healthy food on the table while supporting local businesses. Improving access to this valuable nutrition safety net benefits our entire community.

For information about NOEP, call 845-452-1400, ext. 4243.

Elena Dalia, NOEP Coordinator
Catholic Charities Community Services
Poughkeepsie

 

Community came to aid after fire

Thanksgiving. Giving thanks. With the season of Thanksgiving upon us, the Grimaldi family has much to be thankful for. Out of our tragic fire came the daily affirmation that we are loved, cared for and belong to a community that truly helps one another in times of need. The outpouring of support and generosity by so many — family, friends and even people we are not even acquainted with — has caused us to be completely overwhelmed with gratitude, appreciation and pride to call this community our home.

Thank you to the local fire companies and rescue squads who gave their time, energy and resources to come to our aid. Because so many cared and wanted to help, the spaghetti dinner fundraiser had to be relocated from the Grove to the Lakeville Firehouse (thanks to Mike Fitting and Larry).

So many were instrumental in giving of themselves to make the dinner a memorable event. Special thanks goes to Buddy Riva (C.A. Lindell Hardware); David Zucco; Brian and Todd Faedi; Renee Sartori; Ellen Fontaine; Laurie and AT Keilty; Mike Hodgkins; and Carolyn and Clareann Grimaldi for their generosity and for serving more than half the town with a smile.

Thanks to The Hotchkiss Community; The Woodland Restaurant staff and patrons; Magic Wand customers; The Salisbury Bank; The Salisbury Central School and PTO; St. Mary’s Church; Salisbury Youth Hockey; Deano’s Pizza; Kara Zinke Fund; and so many others behind the scenes.

In these times of economic hardships, people have been incredibly generous, and we will be forever thankful and indebted for their support. Our lives have been changed by not only what we have lost, but also for what we have gained. The community has demonstrated to us that the true value in life is in the spirit of giving and helping others, and in this regard, we are fortunate beyond measure.

We have been the recipients of an enormous feeling of community spirit and love, and we feel truly blessed.

Thank you to all.

Mark, Karen, Mickaela and Liam Grimaldi
Salisbury
 

 

Residents helped decorate Amenia

Many thanks to all who helped decorate for the Holiday of Lights in Amenia and Wassaic on Saturday: Victoria Perotti; Marilyn Noe; Bill Flood; CJ Hoss; Sunny McCool; Kevin Cassone; Gretchen Hitselberger; Erica and Mark Doyle; Maureen Ackerman; Chris, Karlie and Dawn Marie Klingner; Wendy Goidell; Kristen Lazarus and Lisa Dunlop.

A very special thanks to Boy Scout Troop 29’s Duncan Lazarus, age 6; Mikey Ackerman, age 10; and Zachary Klingner for assisting with Amenia’s decorations. Helping with Wassaic’s decorations were Cub Scout 29’s Harrison Ford, age 13; William Ford, age 11; and Peyton Dunlop, age 7.  

Town residents greatly appreciate your holiday decorations, especially when we light them up at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, in Amenia at Fountain Square, and 5:30 p.m. in Wassaic, across from the Lantern Inn.

Vicki Doyle, Town Councilwoman
Wassaic
 

 

Thanks, voters of Amenia

I would like to thank the voters in the town of Amenia for their vote of confidence in me in the recent election. It has been a privilege for me to serve our community as town justice.

Norman Moore
Amenia

 

 

Town clerk thanks Millerton voters

I want to take an opportunity to thank everyone in the community for re-electing me to the position of town clerk for the town of North East. I look forward to serving you for the next two years with commitment and respect.

Nancy Davis Vialpando
Millerton
 

 

Request wasn’t a political one

In a letter to the North East Town Board, we requested a speed limit be posted on Sheffield Hill Road, where the default limit is 55 mph. All other roads connecting to it, and  in the area, are posted at between 20 mph and 35 mph. This request was turned into a 500-plus word article by Ms. [Whitney] Joseph, which we felt sensationalized the request.

Perhaps that was because the letter was received by the town just before the recent election.

Robert and Encarnita Quinlan
Millerton

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