To the editor:

I would like to take a moment to commend the students and teaching staff at Sullivan West for the most recent results on the Math A Regents exam. It is my understanding that 80 percent of our students taking this exam passed. I have been following news articles and letters to the editor and have only read about the failures and about how unfair the test was. My daughter sat for this exam and passed and although her grade wasn’t as high as she had achieved on practice exams, she had a strong enough foundation to be able to tackle the “hard stuff.” I understand the state will be reviewing this test and the results may be a moot point, but the successes shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Congratulations again to those students who passed and to the dedicated teaching staff at Sullivan West. You are definitely doing something right! Thank you for all you do. Keep up the wonderful work.

Alicia Lanese
Youngsville, NY

To the editor:

Regarding your report: “State tosses out math regents.” (TRR June 26-July 2, Newsbriefs)

I wondered how many adults could pass the Regents Math A exam.

One group that should absolutely be required to take and pass the math exam is Gov. Pataki and the members of the State Assembly who have repeatedly failed to produce a state budget that adds up.

However, even if they were able to pass the math exam (which I seriously doubt), it would not be any guarantee that would be capable of meeting the constitutional requirement to pass the budget on time. That would require action which is apparently beyond the capabilities of this evidently inept and lazy partisan aggregation.

Don Odom

Newburgh, NY

To the editor:

Last month, the Sullivan West at Jeffersonville Class of 2004 hosted the Junior Prom entitled “Dreaming of You.” The prom was held at The Lodge at Rock Hill with music by “Music in Motion” and photography by Lifetouch. The theme of the decorations was a city park. A silhouette cityscape outlined in white lights was used as the background, and park benches and live flowering trees and shrubs completed the scene. As advisers of the prom, we were pleased to hear from many students that they enjoyed all features of the prom; the food, music, decorations, and good company and that the 2003 Junior Prom was indeed a memorable experience.

This prom was a shining example of what members of a class can accomplish when they are supported by a caring community. So many individuals and businesses joined with the class to make “Dreaming of You” a special occasion.

We would first like to recognize those individuals who contributed in a variety of ways: Sue Bodenstein, Janet Clewell, Crownbearers; Ryan Graham and Caitlin Miret, students in the Culinary Arts l Class at Career and Technical Education; Donna Ihlefeldt of Petunia’s Posies; Betty Jahrling, John Kline, Peter Langham, Lavender & Thyme, Harriet Luben, Margaret Luty, Bill Moloney, Traci Myers, Lisa Parkinson, Betty Snedeker, Margaret Tenbus , Laurie and Bill Thelman, Steve Wagner, caterer Charles Weiner, Dan Welton, and Mike Woods of Lifetouch Photography. Chaperones Patricia and Michael Ellmauer Erin Mc Cully, Meg and Randy Armstrong, and Suzanne and David Nodenhold are also to be thanked for their time and help.

Special thanks are extended to those generous businesses that gave freely of time, effort and materials. These local businesses include Michael Bellock Construction, Korwan Tree Farm, Kohler Lumber, Mullally Tractor Sales and Rentals, Daniel Snedeker Carpentry and Repairs, Claire and Joe Tinari of Fosterdale Motor Lodge and Warehouse Paint and Carpet.

Finally as advisers we would like to thank the students who were members of the Junior Prom Committee. They made the experience of serving as their advisers a completely enjoyable experience. Certainly, their hard work, motivation dedication and perseverance paid off handsomely as they created a beautiful high school memory for many. They are to be commended!

Tracy Kline
Regina Wagner
Sullivan West at Jeffersonville 2003
Junior Prom Advisers

To the editor:

May I say that the good people of Sullivan County appear to be, not only a fair cross-section of traditional America, but a particularly thoughtful community in dealing with the recent controversy surrounding the painting by Franciszek Kulon.

We’ve seen quite a few differing viewpoints and the entire affair has been a remarkably civil example of private participation in public policy. Several key figures have shown interesting and even attractive spunk, and I can imagine that the whole affair, which could have caused embarrassment if handled with less consideration, has served as an engaging and educational exercise for students of the local school system.

That the picture itself has been invited back is the only logical result of the affair. That the painting’s figurative aspect has been embraced by citizens whose agenda is anti-war is natural—it is an anti-war painting. Now people who disagree with anti-war sentiment can use the painting as a focal point to make their views known and the peace and justice folks can do the same from their perspective.

A painting won’t change anyone’s mind, but art is for expression. As a result of this painting and the actions of the offices of the Sullivan County government, the U.S. Constitution has been brought into the light for all to examine and that’s a good thing. It may be that there is rancor remaining among the players, but from California, I must say that Sullivan County has moved high on my list of places that I intend to visit in the future.

Noel Trusty
Los Angeles, CA

To the editor:

I am writing this letter to express my support for those who have given up their holiday weekend to demonstrate against the Bush administration in Philadelphia this weekend. On the day we celebrate the birth of our democracy, I would urge everyone to remember that this President was not elected by us—he was appointed by the courts. He did not receive a majority vote.

There is compelling evidence that the Presidency was not earned, but was stolen, representing a huge blow to democracy. The liberties our founding fathers fought for, and so beautifully expressed in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, have been eroded by this unelected president in the form of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, and are about to be further lost via the Patriot Act II.

What was created over 200 years ago in Philadelphia is our treasure—it is the underlying support for life in the country we love.

If you don’t know what the Patriot Act is about, you can find out by contacting waynepeace.com.

If you want more information about the 2000 Presidential election, go to the library and ask to rent the video “Unprecedented” (the Sullivan County Library system has it). If you have a computer, join MoveOn.org and inform yourself. They offer many ways to get involved, if you chose to. On this 4th of July, we cannot take our democracy for granted. It is only as strong as our willingness to be informed and involved citizens.

Susan Sullivan
Lava, NY

To the editor:

Each summer, Morry’s campers return to the Port Jervis area to take a break from their crowded urban environments, learn from nature, reflect in a peaceful setting and open their minds to a world of possibility. We come to Glen Spey, year after year, because of the beneficial changes we see in our campers over the course of the summer months, and because we are warmly welcomed by our neighbors and friends in the community.

During the summertime, our campers make memories and are positively impacted by their experiences in Glen Spey. Whether that occurs by learning about new animals, having an ice cream cone in town, canoeing on the lake, singing camp songs or going for a hike in the woods—one fact remains, these summer adventures will make a difference in the lives of our inner-city youngsters.

Over 250 youngsters from the New York metropolitan area leave their urban homes for four weeks, free of charge, to enjoy camp adventures at Morry’s Camp. The camping experience helps youngsters develop positive core values, increase social skills, enhance self-esteem and a greater sense of personal responsibility. Morry’s Camp also supports youngsters year-round by reinforcing the strong values and lessons learned at camp.

Thank you for sharing the beauty of Glen Spey and the surrounding area with our campers and making Morry’s Camp part of your community.

Dawn Ewing, Executive Director
Morry’s Camp
Glen Spey, NY

To the editor:

What is coming to light about the Legislature’s handling of the casino issue (thanks to some fine reporting by Matt Youngfrau) is of more than passing interest. That not one legislator blew the whistle to expose what is now becoming evident is dismal.

Some years ago a Casino Committee, made up entirely of the county’s most mindlessly enthusiastic casino cheerleaders was asked to assess casino impacts. They did the assessment and, interestingly, taxpayers learned nothing of their findings. My guess is that former Legislative head Pomeroy, County Attorney Cohen and, judging by his apparent distress concerning making the results of the assessment public, Legislator Gaebel, saw the results.

It would not seem far-fetched to guess that the Casino Committee could not have helped learning things that displeased the legislative leadership and threatened their casino plans.

Now, the assessment, which should have been reported to the public years ago, has returned to haunt the legislature. When Legislative Chair Binder recently asked for the report it was like kicking an ant hill. It turns out that no report was ever written. For reasons that do not tax the imagination. Now, however, portions of what was learned years ago are being released, piecemeal, to try to reduce the shock of the facts.  And quite possibly with figures that have become obsolete. Incidentally Ms. Binder proposed paying $2500.00 taxpayer dollars to have the report written.  If it is written, and made public, I guarantee to find substantial omissions and distortions.

Alternatively, they could give me the documentation they developed and I’d write it—for nothing. With an index of what they left out—and some tough questions thrown in—at no extra charge.

Lee Karr
Forestburgh, NY