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.

With regard to Ms. Kolberg’s editorial piece in last week’s paper on behalf of the Tri-State Unity Coalition, is it doing honor to Dr. King to infringe on an American citizen doing what is his constitutional right? Flying a flag or banner on private property is a privilege we have that was earned by the shedding of blood by our countrymen. It is a right that is also protected under our free speech amendment.

Dr. King endorsed “civil disobedience.” Apparently, you would have endorsed this philosophy and would not have made any attempt to stop him.

Does not Mr. Hauser have this same right to freedom of expression? Anyone attempting to intrude on his rights is intruding on everyone’s right of freedom. We have become a nation of watch dogs, always on the alert for someone we might bite, just to prove we are doing something to warrant our being.

I would think that there are many and more important issues you might find, those not involved with personal freedom.

In going through my files, I recently came across an anonymous flier entitled “DVCS Students Need Your Help. Please vote ‘yes’ for the proposed merger on June 10th,” which was widely distributed during the DVCS merger fight.

Time has a way of showing who is telling the truth and who isn’t, especially with respect to the extravagant claims that were made. This document listed “many good reasons for supporting the merger.” These included the following items in quotation marks, with my observations immediately thereafter.

“A better education for our children.” Most parents will tell you that actual classroom instruction hasn’t changed a bit in the 19 months since the merger.

“Stabilization of taxes.” Actually, DVCS taxes have soared by up to 26-percent since the merger.

“Increased course offerings.” Nothing much has materialized since the merger. By the way, where are the aerospace and German courses we were supposed to get? How many of you were suckered by these promises?

“Increased athletic opportunities and facilities.” With merged teams only one third of the students who would otherwise have been on the varsity are getting the opportunity to play at that level.

“A better school will add value to your property.” Maybe, if you live in Lake Huntington. Actually, real estate will soon be worth less because of increased taxes and increased time for transportation.

A “brand new state of the art school.” The high school project has been downsized already and will either run short of money or will be further downsized before we are done. Even some board members are privately admitting this.

“Guaranteed 95-percent state funding on all construction projects for the next 10 years.” This is the biggest whopper yet. Now we are being told that everything has to be built over the next two or three years and Narrowsburg will have to move its high school students to the Jeff building and both Narrowsburg and Delaware Valley will lose the use of their gyms (construction material storage) for the duration. Also, we are only getting 67-percent state aid, not the 95-percent funding promised us.

Speaking of the 95-percent state aid we are not getting, where is our “hot shot” BOCES Superintendent Martin Handler who promised us this money? He hasn’t been seen much in the Western Sullivan Central School District since that promise was broken.

This is an appropriate time of the year to extend our appreciation for all the support Survivors’ Resources received from the Pike County Commissioners, individuals, organizations, businesses, community groups and local government entities during the past year. A recent letter received from the supervisors of Dingman Township is an example of that support. They unanimously agreed to increase their annual contribution to $4,000, our largest municipal donation to date.

The Pike County crisis intervention agency restores individual dignity to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Personal safety issues are everyone’s concern, regardless of age or gender. When emotional or physical violence is a part of life in the place where we are suppose to be safest, our homes, the experience is traumatizing. The staff and voters of Survivors’ Resources are committed to providing awareness programs and confidential direct services. We cannot do it without the past, and continued, support we’ve received from so many of you.

A 30-day shelter facility for women and children in danger of physical harm who have no emergency housing alternatives, remains a Pike County need. If our current appeal to the State of PA is successful, it is our hope to be able to open a shelter facility in the near future. To support the programs we have in place, and to sustain the safe home under consideration, the agency relies on your continued support on every level.

On behalf of the agency, our wish for all of you is one of domestic peace and a year of growth and hope. We thank you for helping us to create a safer Pike County.

I am writing to inform you of an honor that has been bestowed upon my husband, Phil Marrella.

My husband has been selected to be the Head Football Coach of the New York State All-Star team in the Down Under Bowl in Australia. The Down Under Bowl is a friendly competition that promotes American football in Australia. It is the creation of a gentleman named George O’Scanlon, who fell in love with the game and wanted to share that love with his countrymen. The athletic event is open to graduating senior student-athletes who have played football, and who have received some post-season honors for their achievements. It has been recognized by the Queenland Government’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing as “an exciting concept” that promotes an exchange between America and Australia. This will be the 13th year the Down Under Bowl has been held. It is also the first time that New York State will be sending its own comprehensive team. Therefore, my husband is the first coach they have selected, a double honor.

He received word that his name had been selected from nominations from his peers and coaches from other states. His credentials and these recommendations led to this honor. He had already begun contacting student athletes from around the state to comprise a team that will represent not only our state, but also our country. Not to fear, the game begins after the school year has been completed, from June 27 to July 9, 2001. In addition, he had selected Eldred’s colors and mascot to represent the state team in June.

Needless to say, I am thrilled and very proud to be bringing this news to your attention. This could have a positive impact on Eldred’s football program for its head coach to be recognized in such a manner.

For years I have always enjoyed going to the Rio Dam to watch the water flow on the flume side of the dam. Since the power company replaced the wooden pen-stock with a steel pen-stock and added a large spill valve, it became even more spectacular. I’ve taken my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to see this wonderful sight. Their response has always been, without exception, “Wow! What a sight.”

In my ignorance I didn’t realize that the eagles thought I was looking at them, and they were annoyed. They don’t like to be looked at from this location. They probably go back to their nest, rant and rave at their little eaglets, and slam the nest sticks around.

After they calmed down, Baldy whipped out his cell phone and called Peter Nye. Peter, always the obedient eagle servant, answered, “Hello.” “Hi Pete. I want something done about those people on Rio Dam that are looking at me, and I want it done NOW!!!” “Okay Baldy, I’ll get right on it. More regulations are needed. We’ll just ban all people from standing, stopping, parking or walking on the dam. How’s that sound Baldy?” “Sounds great Pete, but doesn’t the dam belong to the power company? Isn’t that considered a public right of way?” “Well, yes, but there is no one around here willing to spend a small fortune to challenge our decisions, so we’re okay.” “That’s great Pete; incidentally there is a guy up the road that watches me from his front yard, and I don’t like that either.” “Don’t worry Baldy, we’ll ban him from using his front yard, okay?” “Terrific. Send them to the locations we told you about, and like to be watched from, and you can sell souvenirs and distribute pamphlets.”

P.S. It is true that you can no longer stop, stand, get out of your car, or walk on the Rio Dam and this decision is made and enforced by the Department of Environmental Conservation. What a shame.

I am a proud parent of a Livingston Manor varsity boys basketball player. For three years I’ve traveled to attend games from Andes, NY to Chester, NY and to numerous schools in between. I’ve observed the behavior and performance of many referees, players and coaches along the way.

High school basketball amounts to kids from two schools competing against one another. The referees are there to enforce rules and keep order on the court. A coach’s job consists of much more. His or her job is to teach children basketball fundamentals, to work within a team structure, good sportsmanship, respect for yourself, your opponents and the officials. Children look to their coaches for example, guidance and leadership. It’s a tough job—far more than compiling a good win/loss record.

Our society has been plagued by violence and a lack of respect for authority. In the sports world, players have assaulted coaches and parents have murdered other parents at sporting events. Referees and officials have been attacked and injured by both parents and players. How can this happen? As parents, we’re supposed to teach our children good citizenship and respect for authority.

The other night, I traveled to the homey confines of the gymnasium at Narrowsburg Central School. I anticipated seeing an entertaining and exciting varsity basketball game. I saw much more. A very good Narrowsburg team fell behind early on their home floor. As the game progressed, Narrowsburg settled in and won an excellent game by eight points.

The real story, however, was the behavior and poor example on display by the Narrowsburg varsity coach. Clearly unhappy with what he considered poor calls by the referees (the authority, if you will, on the court) throughout the game, in front of both teams, fans from both schools and school officials from his own school—he loudly bullied, berated and embarrassed both officials on the floor. The message he sent was that respect and good sportsmanship are not important if a ball game might be lost. The end justifies the means. Whatever is necessary to get the “W.”

After the game, either sharing the coach’s sensibilities (or lack there of) or desensitized to a routine I’m sure they’d witnessed many times, the Narrowsburg faithful quietly filed out of the gym basking in the glow of another victory. Seemingly, they were unfazed by the example set by a man they pay as a coach for their children.

After the game, I sought out the coach to share a calm, face-to-face representation of what I’ve written here. His response was expected. One of his players, overhearing my comments cursed me out in defense of his coach. Inappropriate behavior in defense of inappropriate behavior. The coach must have been proud, his players are learning a lot from him. Lets wake up parents—coaches teach our children far more than the proper way to shoot a jump shot. The scorebook shows a Narrowsburg victory that night, but good sportsmanship and responsible coaching suffered a humiliating and agonizing defeat.

Thank you for printing the picture of the school children performing at our Christmas party in your January 11-17 issue.

I, however, gave the teacher’s incorrect name. Mrs. Balmer was the music teacher at the piano, accompanying time 1st, 2nd, 5th and 7th grade students.

The Sullivan West school board and Mr. Johndrow must take the responsibility for having the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) test the site for the proposed school in Lake Huntington given by Mr. Boucher and the additional acres being purchased.

We do not want another situation like Elmira, NY, or the California school that, midway in construction, had to be halted because of danger from toxic waste.

In Elmira, the specter of cancer haunts the school. The parallel to the situation in Elmira cannot be exactly drawn. Their land was used by Remington Rand and factories and purchased in 1972 by the city for $1. It wasn’t so cheap after all!

In Lake Huntington, the land was once occupied by the old Green Acres Hotel. Is there asbestos there that must be removed with care? Were tanks later buried there containing toxic waste? Rumors are afloat about trucks removing materials. Were they certified carriers? What was removed?

In Elmira there were 25 cases of reportable cancer. The most prevalent forms were leukemia and lymphoma, plus 53 reported cases of testicular cancer, a common form of cancer in men, ages 15 to 35. The school has been unable to use the practice fields for sports, but is currently being pressured to open them this spring.

Insist on the school board getting DEC approval on both properties to protect students, teachers and employees.