To the editor:

Sometimes you hesitate as a “Johnny come lately” to assert concerns about the future of the area you just move to as people may think you are just over-reacting. But, your visioning presentation to the Damascus Seniors at Fallsdale Manor truly substantiates my concerns of the future course this corner of the world may be taking. Maybe, the reality is that those of us that have lived through unplanned growth do have the insight to be fearful of what may occur. For myself, I saw my aunt’s pre-revolutionary war farm in Nashua, NH engulfed by strip malls. Hardyston Township in Sussex County is now a far cry from the rural area we lived in over 30 years ago. The golf communities that have been built there are overwhelming in the sheer number of homes—single, duplexes, etc. Hardyston Township has a water crisis, aside from the bumper-to-bumper traffic on Route. 23, etc.

We also lived in Pike County, and saw in five years the growth that was occurring there. Sadly, people choose to leave congested areas, and initially are intrigued just by the beauty. But, then the inconveniences come to light, and they pursue the building of the stores, gas stations, etc., that they initially left behind.

As mentioned at your meeting, we lived in Hemlock Farms. We know first hand how the growth of such a large community envelopes all others who reside in the area. It is not something that our neighbors here in Damascus would be pleased with. Aside from the increased traffic, wear and tear on the roads, the need for water, etc., the same desire to have all conveniences at hand would surely materialize. Can you imagine Route 371 having strip malls constructed on it?

We feel strongly regarding the stewardship we all have to preserving our environment. It is the only thing that can never be replaced once it is gone. Please add our names to your mailing list, and if there is any thing we can do to help, please feel free to contact us.

Susan and John Vorndran

Tyler Hill, PA

To the editor:

In your July 31 issue, Charlie Buterbaugh wrote a very informative and timely piece on conservation easements. Since most of the townships in our area in Northeast, PA do not have zoning or up-to-date ordinances, conservation easements are one sure way for an individual or family to protect unbridled development and protect the natural quality of the area.

Three years ago we bought property with a conservation easement on it and are in the process of adding additional land through the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC). The DHC has been very helpful, knowledgeable and competent in this process. We feel confident that our property will be “forever natural habitat, insuring the protection and sound management of natural resources including the protection of wildlife biodiversity and habitat preservation,” and “will preserve undeveloped open space.”

Joann and Roy Morsch

Starlight, PA

To the editor:

“The single most important decision you will make as a Board of Education is selecting your superintendent,” Dr. Martin Handler of B.O.C.E.S. told the Sullivan West School Board at the August 7, 2003 meeting in the Jeffersonville new building library. He was there at the request of the Sullivan West Board of Education to outline the options and procedures to begin a “Superintendent Search.”

By the same line of reasoning, one of the most important considerations for our children, our grandchildren, our community (we formerly three districts are now one), and our school is to have a good superintendent—and we do! Mr. Michael Johndrow. Mr. Johndrow’s agendas is, and always has been, “what’s best for the children.” We don’t have to look too far back or at individual districts to find that this wasn’t always the case.

We also have had quite a large turnover in our administration recently. We do need to retain some continuity: Mr. Johndrow can provide that.

We are just beginning to emerge from a unique situation—a three K-12 school merger. There have been mistakes by all involved—who indeed has all the answers? Do we think we’ll find the person who does? The hardest part of the journey isbehind us and much has been done very well. Mr. Johndrow’s contract is still in effect. Let him now do the job of being our superintendent, which he was hired to do.

I urge each and everyone of you to show your support of Mr. Johndrow by attending the next Sullivan West Board of Education meeting on August 21, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jeffersonville new building library. We made a good showing at a recent school budget and election of Board of Education members. Let’s do it again! It’s that important. If you can’t attend, let our board members know you support Mr. Johndrow. Write or call them. Urge your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Please!

Kay Rosenberger

Hortonville, NY

To the editor:

Legislator Bob Kunis doesn’t get it. Simply describing Andrew Boyar’s statements concerning the cost of casino impacts as “inaccurate,” just doesn’t hack it. One is forced to wonder why Mr. Kunis wasn’t more specific, why he didn’t give examples, why he didn’t defend the numbers the legislature had collected and explain why they had been hidden. And criticizing Mr. Boyar’s comments as self-serving, while possibly true, is both breathtaking and funny coming from Mr. Kunis.

Mr. Boyar’s having characterized the noted numbers as “phantom” and “bogus” strikes me as both fair and as very restrained—and I have seen the numbers. Much more important, however, is the fact that the noted numbers were, for years, hidden from taxpayer view by the legislative leadership while no one complained or blew the whistle. The media, which uncovered that fact is incredibly quiet concerning this certifiable scandal. Again, one must wonder why.

Lee Karr

Forestburgh, NY

To the editor:

I would like to bring to your attention the extremely discourteous and unprofessional conduct displayed the Town of Cochecton Code Enforcement Officer, Mr. John Drobysh, during a visit to my home on August 7, 2003. This transpired about 1:00 p.m. of that day. The ostensible reason for the visit by Mr. Drobysh was that he claimed someone had reported that a cement truck had been seen entering onto my property. At no time have I ever had a cement truck or any similar vehicle at my home or on or near my property.

This “accusation” was delivered in loud, threatening tones and I was afforded little chance to defend myself or point out that there had never been any presence or indication thereof of a cement truck. After I was able to persuade him (barely) that no cement truck had come to call, he retreated toward his car with the loud admonition, “I’m not playing any games with you!” and drove off with a great screech of tires.

What was the source of this unseemly and outrageous behavior? This is not how a supposedly responsible town official should comport himself. It’s my understanding that other local citizens have had similar encounters with this gentleman. I am with this letter, exercising my First Amendment right to criticize high handed and arrogant actions by government officials on all levels. Mr. Drobysh’s actions should be censured. It is embarrassing for anyone to carry on in such a way—especially without any evidence to support his accusations!

The town should have an official who will uphold public service.

Gloria E. Smith

Cochecton Center, NY

To the editor:

A public high school for gay students is to open this fall in New York City, presumably because gay students are the victims of cruel punishment on the part of straight students in the public schools of the city.

If the cruel punishment charge is true, the public schools in New York City are greater failures than we have realized. A logical alternative to a school designed to protect gay students is the voucher system, a system that would enable parents of gay students to send them to more protective environments.

It is important to think, too, about the ages of high school students. They are between the ages of fourteen and eighteen—generally considered to be the formative adolescent years: the years all young people get in touch with who they are. To permanently label children in this category as gay, and to assign them to a school designated for gays, is to deny them the opportunity to mature sexually. They will, in effect, have been pre-conditioned to live a homosexual life style.

Even though the school will admit straight students as well as gay students, how many parents of straight students will send them to a school designed to accommodate gay students?

If the plan for this school goes through, think of the employment opportunities—or the lack thereof—of its graduates. Discrimination against gays will probably always be with us. It is against the law to ask about the sexual orientation of people who apply for a job, but a graduate of a school designed to accommodate gays is surely going to be at a disadvantage if the employer is one who discriminates against them.

The public schools in New York City must have a very big problem on their hands if there is violence against gay students within their walls; however, gay students would be better served by a voucher system which would enable them to attend schools which would afford them the acceptance they need.

Virginia M. Sullivan

Hawley, PA

To the editor:

On February 13, 2003, Governor Pataki issued a press release touting the state’s record collection of child support. But the picture painted by the governor does not tell the whole story.

The story says that, “…child support collections in New York State have reached record levels—climbing to $1.3 in 2002.” It goes onto state that, “We will continue to fight for every child in our state…against those parents who attempt to ignore their responsibility.” The story continues with examples of how “successful” the state has been in its’ child support collection efforts.

But the story is misleading. The $1.3 collected includes all child support that was collected by the state through the county child support enforcement units not just those parents who are in arrears. Governor Pataki makes it sound as if $1.3 billion was collected from parents who “ignore their responsibility.” To be fair to those parents who are not in arrears on their child support payments, I ask the governor to clarify this statement, and to breakdown how much was collected from parents who “ignore their responsibility” verses those parents who pay on time.

The story also says that the state will, “seize monies in non-custodial parent accounts.” First, the concept of a non-custodial parent is antiquated. New York State is one of only 15 or so states that currently do not have a law that presumes that shared-parenting—joint legal and physical custody—is in the best interests of the children. Second, the story neglects to mention that the record child support “collections” that the Governor touts so highly generate money for the State. On July 16, 1998, President Clinton signed into law the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998. This act of congress rewards the States for the successful collection of child support – the more the State collects the more incentive money it gets from the Federal Government. In federal fiscal year 2000, the State of New York received $28,144,549 in incentive money from the United States federal government for the successful awarding and cost effective collection of child support. Since 1998, the State of New York has received over $100,000,000 from the Federal Government!

This system-wide conflict of interest may help explain why in New York State, the child support burden upon the non-custodial parent is so great, and that the courts almost never reduce this burden, although by law, they have the power to do so. I ask Governor Pataki to support State Assembly shared parenting bill #A01123. I also ask him to support further legislation that would require both parents to financially support their children, based on actual child-rearing costs, and not on the current inflated income based method. In the words of Brian J. Wing, Commissioner of OTDA, “As Governor Pataki has clearly stated since day one of his administration, every child has the right to support from both parents.”

Harold L. Rosenberger

Highland, NY