By DAVID HULSE

MINISINK FORD - Owner Jana Krehul says she didn't pay much attention to the first published complaints of her cross-river neighbors in Lackawaxen, or the second, but the third was too much.

The Lackawaxen neighbors for the past three months have appeared at the Highland Town Board meetings complaining about noise and overcrowding at Ascalona. Earlier this month Krehul had enough when her campground was described as having a capacity of ten tents. "Everyone was up here counting tents," she said. "I'd like to clear my name," she added.

The state permitted usage on the nearly four-acre site is ten campsites, with a capacity of ten persons per site. The water supply is certified for 200 persons daily usage. "Of course there will be more than ten tents. You would need very large tents to house ten people...Any campground is crowded on the Fourth of July," she said.

She says the neighbors' noise complaints about loud music were based on a benefit concert for the family of a customer who had passed away. "It was the first time we ever did this," she added.

Krehul said she asked Highland Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Frazier about the two-member band concert beforehand and was told no special permits were needed. The concert would go to 10:00 p.m.

Upon the neighbors' complaints, constables investigated at 5:15 p.m. and asked the musicians for a permit. "They didn't know no permit was needed."

Krehul said loud speakers were turned away from the river to keep the sound down and the music ended at 10:00 p.m.

She plans another country music concert in September, but the campground is not a noisy place in general. "We have customers with small children and babies. Don't you think my own customers would complain first?" she asked.

Trespassing is another matter. She admits there have been incidents and she believes that those who trespass should be punished. But the issue is between the property owners and the police, not with her. She says she has received anonymous phone calls and her neighbors have been personally abusive to her about trespass incidents; over which she says she has no control.

No health department official would comment, but Frazier confirmed the state health limitations at the campground, adding. "I think [the neighbors' complaints] have gone too far. She's being harassed," he said.