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.

The Tri-State Unity Coalition is seeking assistance as we formally begin our “People’s Proclamation Project.” We are a coalition of individuals and community organizations committed to:

• promoting and enhancing inter-group understanding, cultural awareness and respect for differences.

• supporting individuals and groups who are survivors of prejudice and/or hate crimes.

Since we began our formal organization a few short months ago, many residents of the tri-state area have signed individual Unity Pledges. Several civic groups, such as the Pike County Commissioners, Milford Borough Council, Delaware Valley High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association and The Center for Developmental Disabilities have already issued proclamations.

Our goal is to gather signatures from individuals and community groups such as your own. In the coming year, we will publish the names of the individuals and organizations who, with their signatures, have declared their commitment to support human rights for all people.

Signing Unity Pledges and issuing proclamations may seem a very small thing to do to promote a climate of respect and dignity for all people. According to Ann Van Dyke of the Pennsylvania State Human Relations Commission, when communities unite and take a public stand such as this, “they are like Teflon, and hate can’t stick.” If we remain silent, we give our tacit consent to individuals or groups who perpetuate bigotry and hate. We have already begun to see a great deal of positive response to a variety of community groups taking this public action. We believe that by publicizing the good in our midst, we will keep it alive and flourishing.

We hope you will join with your friends and neighbors signing Unity Pledges and issuing proclamations as community organizations, publicly voicing your opposition to prejudice and your support of the diversity that is the strength of our human existence.

Please feel free to duplicate and distribute the Unity Pledge and proclamation forms available on our website. We would like to receive a copy of signed proclamations. We are available to speak to groups, and have numerous resources (print, video, web-based, etc.) to share. We have regular meetings, the second Tuesday of the month, at the Milford United Methodist Church on Ann Street in Milford, Pennsylvania, and welcome all who would like to join us to work toward greater unity in our area. If you need further information, I can be reached by phone at 570/296-3992, 570/686-4065, or be e-mail at tristateunity@yahoo.com.

[With regard to the literary contest sponsored by Sullivan County asking participants to write why they enjoy living in the county.]

Surely you jest—this contest should be entitled “what frustrates you most about living in Sullivan County” rather than “what is best about Sullivan County.”

My husband and I are second homeowners in Hankins, NY. We purchased a wonderful 1830’s farmhouse six years ago and had planned to retire there. We have had to cancel these plans due to the work apathy in this part of the county.

Where are the painters to refurnish the gorgeous siding?? We called four painters two years ago and six this year—only one of the 10 returned our call.

Where are the electricians to upgrade the service for safety concerns? Where are the plumbers to install a winter capacity heating system? Where are the tree trimmers to cut dead and overgrown branches?

Appointments are made to look at the projects to be done--but the appointments are not kept or even apologized for when a “no show.” I cannot begin to count the number of times we have come up to Hankins from our “suburban home” to meet a contractor, only to wait all day in vain.

We can only do minor repairs, redecorating and painting ourselves and are overwhelmed by the lack of business savvy—NO ONE returns phone calls or wants to work.

Our house will be on the market this spring as we look for a home in a more “renovation friendly” area. You can guarantee we will not divulge our “problems” for fear that our house will not sell.

In order to promote Sullivan County—Sullivan First—Sullivan Renaissance—all these things are meaningless unless there is a workforce ready and willing to work and help new homeowners so that they WANT to buy and renovate and LIVE in Sullivan County.

While the county legislature fumes, and the county attorney is making up his mind… WHAT MIND? County Legislator Steve Kurlander thumbs his nose at the residents in his district, and the county legislature.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? Kurlander is no longer a resident of the district he represents. Like Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned, the county legislature sits on its collective hands and does nothing to solve the problem, when the solution is simple.

TERMINATE KURLANDER AS A LEGISLATOR, for he is no longer qualified to act. If he feels that he has been improperly or illegally terminated, he is free to bring appropriate action to have himself reinstated. The county, with its county attorney and six assistants, has adequate counsel to defend such action, unless, of course, the county attorney feels it necessary to retain outside counsel.

TO THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, as a resident in Kurlander’s district, which now has no representation in the county legislature, GET GOING. Terminate Kurlander, stop his paycheck. Kurlander is gambling that the legislature does not have the intestinal fortitude to terminate him; if necessary, call a special meeting to do it, not tomorrow or next week, but NOW. Prove him wrong.

This loyal customer’s been down with the flu,
Laying low and sleeping was all I could do.
I got to thinking of happy not sad,
About the many blessings I truly had.
Family and friends were first on my list,
But I kept thinking, there’s something I’ve missed.
Town was buzzing, excited and more,
That Peck’s was opening another store!
A new store in Eldred, for that side of the county.
I said, “Hurray, let’s share the bounty!”
Shopping at Peck’s is always a treat,
It’s well stocked and clean; employees helpful and sweet.
You always have something different and new,
I think I’ve gained a pound or two.
With that said and done, I felt rather grand.
Peck’s Market--you’re a treasure in the land.
You surely are spectacular.
No wait--you’re Peck’s-tacular!
I didn’t write this for notoriety or fame,
So I’ve purposely left off my name.

The family of Natalie (Lillian) Gasko wishes to thank Fr. Tom Jones O.F.M. for the very nice funeral mass, Rasmussen Sons, Inc. Funeral Home for the fine job they did, Mary Ellen Hubbard for playing the organ and beautiful singing, the Catholic Daughters of America for the inspiring candlelight ceremony; everyone who sent flowers, mass cards, donations, food, sympathy cards and all who came to the services. It was greatly appreciated.