To the editor:

We have been part time residents of Shohola since 1977. We own acreage on the Delaware River below the Barryville Bridge and have built a home there near the river edge. As we love the natural beauty of the area, we were careful not to destroy it. Our house does have a river view, but we carefully selected trees and branches to remove, and for the people who travel on the river the natural beauty has not been spoiled.

We are now most distressed to see the destruction that has occurred on one of the most beautiful sections along this stretch of the Delaware. In an area below Shohola Creek, which has steep ledges, hemlock trees and thick rhododendron, a wide swath has been cut from the top of the very steep hillside to the river’s edge. All of the trees have been indiscriminately cut, and there is now an entire area with fallen trees and brush lying in a cascade down the slope to the river. Against this backdrop hangs a Reber Realty sign.

If this kind of destruction is allowed to continue, we will no longer have the natural beauty for which this area is known.

The Upper Delaware River and its corridor is a treasure and it should be treated as such. It belongs to all of us. We think that local realtors must assume greater responsibility for guarding our treasure. We recognize that a person has the right to do with his or her property as he or she wishes. However, when land is purchased within a sensitive area, we think that it should be the responsibility of the realtor to educate new buyers and to make them aware that they can either preserve or destroy the character of the river corridor.

Many historical towns, buildings and lands have been preserved for future generations by ordinances that place restrictions on the residents of these areas. We have no restrictions at this time. Short of mandatory restrictions, we can take it upon ourselves to behave responsibly. Together, we the residents, the realtors, and the visitors to our river can mutually benefit by doing all that we can now, to preserve the natural beauty of this area.

Judy and Lloyd Johnson

Shohola, PA

To the editor:

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Johnson:

Your points are well taken and we too are concerned about the natural beauty of the Upper Delaware River Valley.  I am a lifelong resident of the area and am familiar

with it’s history.  By the way, if you look at many of the old photos of the Delaware Valley, many of the hills were cleared for farming and agriculture.

I am sure when your home at the river’s edge was constructed in 1977, that construction temporarily changed the scenery, but “ you have to break the eggs to make the omelet.”

Just because the land has been recently cleared does not mean there will be a permanent scar.  The tree cutting you described was not “indiscriminate” and was only a minimal part of the property. Yes, there are fallen trees and brush lying down but you must give the property owner reasonable time for the reclaimation, as is the intent of these property owners.

Fred Reber, Broker

Reber Realty

Barryville, NY

To the editor:

What we want and why, A request made to the Sullivan County Legislators:

The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is asking for $25,000 to regrant to other organizations in Sullivan County for 2004 cultural programming (we regranted $20,000 in ’02 and $15,000 in ’03). In addition, we are asking for $10,000 for DVAA.

DVAA’s allocation for the past ten years has been $5,000. Greene County, with a population of 45,000 allocates $20 thousand + to their arts council and has, in better economic times, allocated even more. Dutchess allocates $50,000.

The arts expansion that is happening—and the future expansion that everyone is expecting at Bethel—relies heavily on the development work that we have done for 27 years.

Of the 103 events listed on the Sullivan County Visitors Association’s August calendar, 62 were cultural events.

All our legislators should be aware of our work and the fundraising efforts that you all put into making the arts happen.

If we all take a moment and make a call, or fax your legislator before September 10, requesting both the regrant and DVAA allocation, it might go a long way toward realizing those allocations and to keeping future and current programs alive.

The fax for the legislative office is 845/794-3459.

Thanks.

Myra Rappaport

Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Board

Narrowsburg, NY

To the editor:

On August 24, the Ukraine and Ukrainians scattered in the wide world celebrated the 12th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine. After World War II, a large number of families and individuals who left Ukraine during the war and who refused to return to their homeland under Communist tyranny, immigrated to the U.S., Canada and other free countries. Some of them settled here in Glen Spey. They prayed and dreamed for realization of the independence and sovereignty for the land of their ancestors, while maintaining at the same time the Ukrainian heritage with its rich customs and traditions. With their religious and cultural influx they strengthened our community and made a significant contribution to America.

The Ukrainian community here in Glen Spey is deeply grateful to our town officials for the recognition of our Independence Day. This special thanks goes to our supervisor, John Li Greci, for issuing the proclamation concerning this historic event in which he asked all citizens “to join in celebration and remembrance of those whose heroic efforts laid the foundation for freedom of Ukraine.”

On August 24, in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence in our two churches, special sermons were held asking God for a blessing for our nation. Later on that day in the church hall we enjoyed a special concert to mark this joyous occasion.

Bohdan Kandiuk

Glen Spey, NY

To the editor:

What country ever had their always-delivered U.S. military weapons and supplies utilized by their militia to fire on—in too many cases—minors demonstrating and throwing stones and on others forfeiting their lives for their freedom in their unceasing struggles with the intruders who conveniently forget that people are human?

With the Israelis still meeting, the intruded on with their self-assumptive air of indifference with their settlements still sprouting-up at an unceasing pace. With Sharon’s not ever to concede the once amassed lands regime deceptively avoiding the policies of restraint by having their settlers doing it for them—violating several United Nations regular international laws.

All with no strict concern of Bush’s established red herring skill-with-words regime.

Too many of the controlled media are deceiving and deliberately misleading the public with their unending politically motivated polls. It mostly consists of hundreds of deadheads openly admitting that they are representing the beliefs of millions of Americans. This should befuddle anyone’s clearly thinking mind.

It should be obvious to anyone with a grain of sense that we have found ourselves living during the one of the most dangerous moments of our nation with our self-imposed power president to ever take the oath of office.

And it must be said: my generation inherited the greatest nation in the history of the World after WWII.

We had it better than anyone, anywhere, ever did. And now, Bush et al are slowly but surely blowing it.

Chas Sidlowski

Beach Lake, PA

P.S. Truthfully. What democratically principled-based society ever openly forced themselves onto any given bordered lands in their prominent opponent quests?

To the editor:

In the aftermath of another failed Woodstock anniversary weekend, hasn’t the time come to stop praising the beneficence of Sullivan County’s “savior,” Alan Gerry, and his “stuck-in-granite” foundation, and to  look at the facts?

Over seven anniversaries ago, Mr. Gerry, under the guise of several corporations, purchased the Woodstock site and several other properties and promised to build a world-class performing arts center to promote the economic growth of Sullivan County. By 2003, the only thing that has been built is a fence to keep “trespassers” off .

While Mr. Gerry cannot be blamed for the ineptitude demonstrated by Ben & Jerry, he must take responsibility for his own inaction.  Those unsanctioned musical events that took place from 1989 through 1996 kept the name and spirit of Woodstock alive, convincing Mr. Gerry that the development of a performing arts center was a worthwhile endeavor. Unfortunately, Mr. Gerry’s attempts to sterilize the site has all but destroyed the most historic and unique outdoor festival site in the entire world.

Come on now, this isn’t rocket science. If you can’t, or won’t, keep your promise that you made to the citizens of Sullivan County, then turn the site over to an entity that will do so. You can’t continue to accept the accolades unless and until you do what you promised. You cannot hide behind broken promises forever. It’s not fair to the people of the county who trusted you and believed in you, and it’s not fair to the memory of Woodstock, and its economic development potential that you are wasting.

Sam Goldberg

Hurleyville, NY

To the editor:

On July 22, 2003, Governor Pataki signed into law Senate Bill 5621, sponsored by Senator Lavalle. The new law allows for day care providers to administer medications to children in day care. While some may think of such medication as being for a child who requires Tylenol (e.g., while teething) or antibiotics (which may be required for 10 days, long after fever and malaise have subsided), it also may include medications that treat sometimes life-threatening conditions like diabetes and asthma.

I understand that the law addresses our changing society and provides for an urgent and serious need, but as a parent, medical-legal consultant and registered professional nurse, I am concerned about our children in New York State. Before being allowed to administer medication, doctors and nurses must study chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and learn extensive information about pharmacology. Health care professionals also must be fluent in specialized technical language so that they can look up information on a medication (such as drug action, interaction, side effects, and how to know if the medication is working).

Will day care providers have adequate background and training to take on the responsibilities of such a task?

Will children have adequate assessment before and evaluation after being given medications?

Will day care providers have regulations which will guide them to acquire, store, administer, and dispose of medications safely?

Will the public have information about the number of medication errors in each center and the consequences of such errors?

With appropriate regulations in place (like those in hospitals and clinics), medications can be given safely in day care centers.

It is imperative that day care centers have clearly stated regulations to guide them to acquire, store, administer and dispose of medications safely; that they have procedures on how to assess and evaluate children; that providers have thorough training; and that centers have a close working relationship with a health care professional.

The public comment period is until September 13, 2003. I urge you to send your comments and concerns. The regulations proposed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services can be viewed in their entirety at www.ocfs.state .ny-us.

Those wishing to make a comment may send it in writing via e-mail to cfspio@dfa.state. ny.us or to the following address: Office of Children and Family Services Public Information Office, Room 305 South 52 Washington Street, Rensselaer, New York 12144-2796

Anne Marie Haber

Troy, NY

To the editor:

Corruption. Incompetence. Betrayal. These are words one would not normally associate with a comfortable shirt, a pair of jeans or pajamas. Today they are the norm and not the exception in the textile industry.

Recently I read that President and CEO J. Berrye Worsham III of Cotton Incorporated in Cary, N.C.an Engineered Fiber Selection (EFS®) System Conference talked about global economics. He spoke about marketing considerations acknowledging concerns about the current U.S. economic picture, low cotton prices, low consumer confidence, and deflation in apparel prices in the face of inflation in production costs which he responded “puts a strain on margins through the system.”

What he actually meant by this is a puzzle to most cotton farmers in America. I am amazed people are paid money to say these things.

The economics of growing U.S. cotton have been destroyed for example—Bt Cotton—if a cotton farmer grows this cotton they cannot keep back seed from this year’s crop. He or she must buy new seed next year and surrender this year’s or be taken to court and sued.

The USDA through the federal government has for decades controlled the price of cotton to within a few cents. This has perverted the New York Cotton Exchange to the point that it is a market by name only.

US Representative Charles Norwood (R-GA) states that over 200,000 jobs have been lost in textiles since January 2001.

Cotton Incorporated has offices in Communist China. Each year the price of cotton drops and the textile industry continues to suffer. The USDA cotton-marketing program is a complicated mess.

The time for action is now. Both Texas farmers and textile mills and New York financial markets will benefit.

Alfred Lee Brock

Canton MI