The River Reporter Online - Letters to the Editor

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The River Reporter welcomes letters on all subjects from its readers. They must be signed and include the correspondent's phone number. The correspondent's name and town will appear at the bottom of each letter; titles and affiliations will not, unless the correspondent is writing on behalf of a group.

Letters are printed as they are received, or at the discretion of the editor, and without correction to grammar or spelling. It is requested they be limited to 500 words; correspondents may be asked to cut longer letters. Deadline is 1:00 p.m. on Monday.

We are writing in response to a message which was posted on your message board of your website, riverreporter.com. This message contained scrutiny of the actions taken by certain members of the junior class of the Sullivan West at Narrowsburg Campus against the proposal to transfer next year's grades nine through twelve from Narrowsburg to the Jeffersonville-Youngsville Campus.

We strongly feel that placing the Narrowsburg students in another school will put us at an uneven keel with the students already in the J-Y building. Then, once the new proposed high school is built, Narrowsburg/J-Y students that had already integrated with each other will have a distinct advantage over students coming from the Delaware Valley Campus because the students from the other two campuses will already be acquainted with each other and a majority of their teachers. This proves that Narrowsburg will not be the only campus thrust into this situation (twice in two years), but also other students of the district.

Also, we feel that the board's proposal to have ongoing renovations occurring while elementary students are present in the Narrowsburg building will be unsafe for those students, contrary to the belief that construction companies will be sufficiently able to make partitions that will totally cut off students from any possible harm, is indeed untrue. The walls and floors in the Narrowsburg building do contain asbestos, a health hazard. This substance is airborne and cannot be completely contained within the construction areas. Should children be subject to this kind of threat?

As we are the students which this will affect, as well as hundreds others in this district, we believe that our arguments are pertinent, valid, and vital to this decision. 129 signatures of taxpaying citizens also against this proposal were collected in less than two weeks. We do not stand alone on this matter; education should never take a backseat to construction.

Megan Gorzynski, Danielle Hoye, Joseph Hawker, Michael Popolillo, Brian Popolillo, James Kearns, Matthew Pomes, Logan Cole, Robert Taylor

Recently the community has become polarized by the library tax issue. It is being misrepresented as a choice between keeping libraries open or closing their doors forever. This is simply not true. Individuals and organizations who support placing the question back on the ballot during the November General Election and favor seeking alternative means of funding Wayne County Libraries are being called anti-civic minded.

As a point of information the Wayne County Farm Bureau does not oppose libraries. The farm organization does oppose society's constant upward spiraling dependence on real property taxation to provide services. The time has come to shift away from this dependence on property taxes to raise needed revenue. The library tax specifically, at 2 mills, represents a 4 percent to 6 percent (dependent upon township) increase in a farm spring tax bill. Farms in Wayne County average just under 200 acres and are paying an average of +/- $70 per farm family, for the new library tax. This is significantly higher than the $15-$20 figure so popularly represented. Wayne County Farm Bureau supports a broader based, more equitable alternative to fund our libraries. The Wayne County Library System is being encouraged to raise $5 per capita by the state which will then make them eligible for additional state and federal funding. A farm family in Wayne County with 3 adults should only be required to contribute the same $15 that a family in town of three adults contributes. Tenant families who rent properties should also contribute since they are included in the per capita count. A system of funding libraries to meet state per capita requirements must be equitable and broad based.

In order to pursue any alternative means of funding our libraries the 2 mill tax, which has the force of law would first need to be overturned. The Wayne County Farm Bureau and the voters are within their rights to request a re-vote on the issue. If the question were not placed on the ballot this November for voter consideration, the tax payers would have to wait 5 years (and pay 2 mills for 5 years) before they could legally revisit the library tax issue. A 2 mill property tax is not the only way to fund Wayne County Libraries. More equitable alternatives are available. WCFB is also concerned that this important matter was placed before the voters on a primary ballot. The question was carried by only 74 votes. Additionally of the voters who came to the polls almost 44 percent did not vote on the library question at all. WCFB is concerned that the voters who did not respond may not have been aware of the library tax question. 4,591 voting people either did not see, understand or respond to it. A re-vote is fair. Only 11 percent of Wayne County's registerd voters put a tax in place effecting 100 percent of Wayne County's property owners.

Agriculture is still Wayne County's number one industry. In the past land ownership was synonymous with wealth therefore taxation was based on land taxes. Current economic downturns for farmers have made it difficult to remain financially viable. The nature of a farming enterprise required that the owners have a significant number of acres on which to produce America's food fiber and other agricultural commodities. Society's tax burden placed on that farm land makes the farmers share disproportionately greater than his residential neighbor. The farm owner pays much more in property tax than his neighbor while his net income is generally much lower.

Real property tax and school tax have a predominant role. Changes and increases have important implications to all local residents, not just farmers. The size of school taxes alone has been increasing dramatically, rising 103 percent across the Commonwealth between 1985-95. Inflation and the average worker's wage increased only 44.8 percent and 50.1 percent respectively, during the same time period. Therefore even the average wage earner's income has not been able to keep pace with property tax increases. Many tax payers, especially those on fixed incomes are concerned about escalating property taxes but feel powerless to bring about change. WCFB and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau are avidly working with legislators to bring about relief and reform in property taxes on the state and national level. The library tax is a local property tax issue.

Wayne County has a significant number of dairy farmers who have been suffering depressed commodity prices for some time now. 1979 milk prices do not cover all other escalating expenses. Many have been forced to sell out. According to the National Agricultural Statistic Service, in 1970 Wayne County had 670 active dairy farms. In 1999, only 170 remained. In 1979 Wayne County taxes were 9 mills. Today the County tax is 29 mills. This demonstrates a tax increase of over 300 % on the county level alone. School taxes in Wayne County have experienced similar increases going up from 55.5 mills in 1979 to 161 mills in 2000.

In conclusion, let me reiterate the farm bureau stance. We are not opposed to the Wayne County Libraries: We have requested that the library tax issue be placed before the voters on the November General Election so that a larger number of voters can have the opportunity to be heard on this very important property tax issue.

The farm bureau policy to place the question back on the ballot was drafted in 1999 and voted in as a policy at the October 1999 Annual Meeting by the general membership body. This vote made it a directive to the Wayne County Farm Bureau. Our position is simply that a more equitable means can be found to fund libraries than an additional 2 mills on property owners.

Those who produce food for America's table finally heard a word about agriculture in the final presidential debate. But just one question and four minutes were devoted to a major sector of the U.S. economy, one that contributes 25 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, or approximately $2 trillion.

"It seems farmers and ranchers are a forgotten people in today's political landscape," said National Farmers Organization President, Paul Olson. "Agriculture is one of America's largest economic sectors, but has been noticeably absent in presidential campaign dialogue during a year when many farm commodity prices are at 20 year lows."

Prices dairy farmers are paid to produce milk currently hover at 1978 levels, and grain prices are at lows not seen in many years. And those low prices are hitting just when fuel and general farm operating costs are on the rise, and costly investment in ag technology is increasingly required for farmers to cash flow their operations. Technology that, in some cases, has not been entirely proven as safe to consumers or the environment.

"Agriculture enormously impacts consumers, both domestically and globally," underscored Paul. "Because each and every one of us is effected by how our food is produced, when politicians ignore agriculture, they are effectively neglecting everyone."

The issue grows in importance when consumers consider that every dollar of farm income generates an additional $9 throughout the economy, and each ag producer creates an additional 10 off-farm jobs each year.

"There is no question that this country needs to make changes in its farm bill," said Olson. "With key commodities at severely low price levels, we must put into place a better safety net to keep farmers in business. We simply cannot continue to produce for returns far below our production costs."

The national organization of farmers and ranchers believes that how and by whom food is produced will become a major world issue in the future. One that bears more attention than the current presidential campaign year has afforded.

While waiting in line to pay the bill for our groceries in Shop Rite, I spoke to my wife in our native Ukrainian language. The middle age woman right behind us overheard us and for some reason she did not like it and made her remark: "Why you do not speak English" and "what language is that?" Politely I answered that we speak Ukrainian. To my surprise she angrily stated: "if you prefer to speak Russian, go to Russia." I tried to explain to this woman that Ukraine is not Russia and that these two languages are different, but I could not finish my lesson since the line moved and it was my turn to pay a bill. After waiting a few minutes to meet this woman, I approached her, but, as I expected, she gave me an indecent look and brushed me off.

In case this woman reads newspapers, I would like her to know that Ukraine is not Russia. Ukraine is an independent democratic country with about 50 million people and as such signifies the end of Russian domination. As a naturalized citizen of the United States I am proud to be Ukrainian by birth and as long as I live I will uphold and preserve the culture, tradition and language of my native Ukraine. And as a US citizen I have a great respect for this country and nation. In Glen Spey, where Ukrainians are forming a significant group, we live together peacefully with the rest of the local residents, with harmony and respect for each other.

It is not my intention to teach this unknown rude woman to respect others, but she should realize that this great nation of our is built by people of different origins and people of many different nations. And that is exactly what makes America strong and great.

Much to the consternation of BOCES Superintendent Martin Handler, I publicly confronted New York State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills at the October 11 Chamber of Commerce meeting during the question and answer session.

I brought the issues concerning the broken promises of 95 percent state aid for the new Sullivan West consolidated high school and the serious charges of massive vote fraud in the June 1999 DVCS merger vote that were outlined in Tony Wayne's formal "Commissioner's Appeal" to Mills' personal attention.

I also gave Commissioner Mills an unfiltered file on these matters including the promises made to the voters by Martin Handler.

Sullivan West school board members Sandler and Lander also attended that meeting. Not a peep was heard from either one of them with respect to the missing state building aid money which will adversely affect local taxpayers in the near future.

Either these two school board members can't tell the difference between the 67 percent state building aid Sullivan West taxpayers are now expected to receive and the 95 percent state aid promised by BOCES Superintendent Martin Handler before the merger votes, or they don't care.

As President of the Upper Delaware Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Beach Lake, PA, I would like to thank all those who worked so hard to make the 8th Annual Bud Rue Memorial Walk for Social Justice (held last Sunday, October 15th) a tremendous success. We have raised this year to date over $1,800 to support local groups that provide support and help to our community in a variety of ways.

The local charities that will benefit from this event are: Habitat for Humanity (both the Sullivan and Wayne County chapters), Interfaith Outreach United (IOU) of Callicoon, Victims Intervention Program (VIP) based in Honesdale, and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy offices in Hawley. This walk is now named after one of its founders, Bud Rue. Bud and his wife Ann came to the Upper Delaware area to settle in Innisfree in Milanville, PA in 1988. A retired teacher of mathematics, he came to the area intending to devote his free time to volunteer efforts benefiting the local community. During the closing years of his life Bud helped form several organizations dedicated to social justice and human services. Among these are our Unitarian Fellowship, Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County and this Walk for Social Justice. On October 24, 1993, during the very first Walk For Social Justice, Bud's seemingly endless energy found its limit. Seeking rest, he sat down by the roadside, urged the others to continue the walk, and while waiting for the relief car breathed his last. As a loving tribute to his memory and to his ideals we perpetuate his walk.

It is with great pride in Sullivan County emergency service personnel and volunteers that I write this letter.

Before daybreak on the morning of October 16, the American Red Cross was called upon to provide emergency assistance to more than 300 people who had been displaced by a raging fire that ripped through the historic Paramount Hotel, in Parksville. Volunteers from the Sullivan chapter's Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to the immediate needs of all the people who found shelter at the Liberty High School auditorium.

Red Cross volunteers and staff worked with Liberty Central School personnel, law enforcement officers, area officials, local pharmacists, firefighters, ambulance corps members, local charitable organizations, small business owners, hotel proprietors, food stores, restaurants, communications companies and social workers, to provide immediate relief to people in crisis. For the duration of the relief effort, people with various business affiliations served as "emergency workers."

A heartfelt "thank you" goes to all the people who stepped forward to help when help couldn't wait.

A special note of thanks goes to our Red Cross volunteers: Barbara Claypool, Mary Cohen, Al and Maria Frangipane, Susan Gentile, June Hatton, Brenda Immel, Jorge Martinez, Ben and Carol McKay, Elaine Monahan, Ivette Rivera, Carmen Rodrigues, Dennis Rundle, Irving Rundle, Frank Ryder, Paul and Greta Salzberg and Marion Wolf.

Sullivan County is indeed lucky to have many elected officials that are truly public servants. I would like to write about two such individuals. Candidate Jake Gunther Assemblyman, 98th District, from the very beginning of his political career, never lost sight of his mission to serve the people in his district and all of New York State. He's fought hard for what he believes in, even at times drawing the ire of his own party, but always doing what he felt best in his heart for all the people. His accomplishments are too numerous to list, but in the time he has been in the Assembly, the ones that particularly stand out in my mind are: instituting the STAR program, giving school property tax relief to property and home owners, securing State funding for tourism and economic development and placing thousands of acres of State owned tax-exempt property back on the tax rolls. New York State now pays the school, county and town property tax on these parklands every year.

Chris Cunningham, Sullivan County Legislator, from the 16th District, is another elected official who has always served the people in his District and all of Sullivan County. He stands up for what he believes in, even when it may be an unpopular decision. He fights hard for what he believes in, is dedicated, honest and always "there" for the people in his District as well as always considering all the residents in Sullivan County in his decision making. He has the experience to be Sullivan County Treasurer. During the time Chris has been in office, he has sat on the Finance and Real Property Committees, has extensive knowledge of government budgets, finances and Real Property tax. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and is currently obtaining his Master's Degree in Public Administration. He is an experienced professional manager who works well with people, and has forward thinking ideas for the future. I know some of his goals, the naysayers say, can't be done, i.e. installment payment of property taxes. Chris is a "can do" person. I feel he'll be a forceful advocate for property tax reform and will bring the treasurer's office technologically into the future. I have heard Chris Cunningham's opponent is planning to retire in the not too distant future. I feel we need someone who will do the job well and will be around for the long term, not the short term.

When casting your vote on Election Day, November 7, remember those that truly serve the people.

I hope the person or persons who stole my election posters for the Town of Lumberland has had great pleasure.

You have brought a lot of sorrow to my heart. Signs cost money and that I don't have very much of. If you don't want me to run or I have made you unhappy in some way, let me know.

I have gone beyond myself in many ways helping people and doing for others even before my own family or even for myself and this is a slap in the face.

Please, if they are still in one piece put them back or leave them on my front lawn. It's too late for me to get more made. You stole signs and this is against the law.

Recently a number of assaults have been happening in the states Correctional Facilities. Governor Pataki and nyscopba do not appear to care that these men and women put their lives on the line each and everyday for our protection. They guard us from societies worst.

Are they commended for doing this? No they are not! To the state, they are like the dirty linen you'd hide in your closet. If nyscopba really cared for the workers they would have had a union representative at Green Haven C.F. right after they had their Deputy Superintendent and another Officer stabbed; they would make sure that the public knew how hard this job is. This past week two Officers were assaulted at the Arthur Kill C.F. on Staten Island..

nyscopba is trying to negotiate a contract with the state. You would think that they would at least try to make it a fair one, which it s not. The salaries these hard working men and women receive put them at the state poverty level, depending on the size of the family. The contract states that the Officers must pay an extra $300 towards their medical insurance and for prescription drugs. The state was holding a three percent retirement incentive over the heads of the workers depending on the ratification of the contract.

These people deserve to get the best that the state has to give them. Not what they want to offer, but the best. These people have to deal with many contractible diseases, getting assaulted, having urine and feces thrown at them and much more. This is something they have to deal with on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The state is mandated by law that all these Officers must have stab and slash resistant vest and gloves. Why is New York the only state that does not have the proper safety equipment for these people to do their job?

When Governor Pataki's term of office is over, what kind of Governor does he want to be remembered as? The one who cares more for the political side of the job, or the one who cared for the states work force?