For the love of country, county and community

To the editor:

I am writing to express the extreme gratitude and pride I experienced at the Francis S. Currey Day in Hurleyville on Saturday, July 10. I am, as all in attendance were, proud of native son Francis Currey for the gallant and brave actions he took in December 1944, for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation’s greatest military honor. He exemplified the kind of men and women who risked all during World War II so we might live in peace. He is also an example of the kind of person Sullivan County turns out.

I am also grateful to all of the organizers of the event who made the day perfect and allowed us to pay tribute in a proper manner.

The organizers’ hard work and attention to detail, from the bustling street fair, to the great music and sound system, the congratulatory speeches, the breathtaking Blackhawk helicopter air show, colorful parade and the awesome fireworks enabled us to display our pride in country, county and community. It was truly a feel good day, one that we need many more of.

It also should be noted that Hurleyvile looked great as it hosted the entire county for this richly deserved celebration of our own hero. The people of Hurleyville presented the warm, cordial and accommodating behavior for which they have become famous, as the shops and stores downtown and along the parade route were decked out as befit this occasion. Outstanding!

From beginning to end and top to bottom, Francis S. Currey Day was a special event befitting a special person. I will never forget the feeling of pride in my country and love of my county that this day left in me. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Being an educated voter is our responsibility

To the editor:

It is fitting that the owner of the Honesdale movie house began showing the movie “Fahrenheit 9/11” on the July 4th weekend, the most patriotic weekend of the year, because showing this movie is indeed a patriotic act. Although clearly a movie with a message, this movie is honest, powerful, informative, and even entertaining.

Our country was founded on a belief in freedom and democracy, on the belief that a people can only truly be free if they are fully informed of the facts. I urge all my neighbors to see this movie, not because I wish to persuade anyone to vote one way or another this November, but because I feel whichever way we vote, we should vote with a clear conscience, knowing that our decision is based on all the facts, that all sides of an issue have been addressed.

We are sending our troops abroad right now, in the name of freedom and democracy. We are sending our troops overseas to possibly die. We must respect the lives of our soldiers. If even one dies, we must be sure that death was not in vain. Only by knowing all sides of the issue, and voting as wisely as possible, can we be sure that we have fulfilled our responsibility to our troops.

On leaving the packed movie house, I was impressed by the intensity of discussion all around me, not just from those who came to the theater with a political agenda, but also from people who went to the theater out of simple curiosity. Whether seeing this movie changed anyone’s opinions, I cannot know, but it clearly affected their hearts.

Curiosity prompts concern and cynicism

To the Town of Highland Town Board:

I have some questions regarding the highway/school/bus garage. Is the $1.5 million price tag that you folks project before or after the cost overruns? Also, does the $1.5 million price tag include an indoor swimming pool for us? How about tennis courts? I am just curious because it does not seem the taxpayers have a chance to vote on the issue.

I hope that you hire the high quality craftsmen who built the MacKenzie School. We all know in what great condition that building is (as long as you wear a hard hat). Especially the nice dirt, pothole-ridden parking lot. It looks like a film clip from the Battle of Guadalcanal after the invasion. Again, just some questions for you folks. I know you are working hard for the best interest of the taxpayer.

Casinos are costly to healthy communities

To the editor:

I was delighted to read of Senator Clinton’s and Representative Hinchey’s standing ovations for their progressive vision to preserve farmland and open space while encouraging “smart growth” at the Pattern for Progress’ 40th Anniversary Conference. It’s exactly what we all want! It is a confirmation of a survey conducted by the Rochester Residents Association.

I applaud Pattern for Progress’ efforts and assistance in bringing about a revival of cities along the Hudson River. The organization bases its criteria of responsible development on their own long-term research.

So it came as an incredible shock that their official position is one in favor of casino development. They feel that it would be a plus, assuming they don’t dominate the economy. Well, we know otherwise! I suggest they base their recommendations on existing research—impartial casino impact studies that can be accessed on http://www.casinowatch.org. They all point to the fact that casinos are a prime example of “dumb growth.” Every dollar spent at a casino is a dollar lost to the local economy.

A 2001 study economists Grinols and Mustard, from the Universities of Georgia and Illinois, shows that for every dollar generated by the gaming industry, there is a three-dollar cost to society. This figure is now closer to five dollars. The study calculated the annual cost of casino gambling in Missouri may easily be $800 million. The costs they enumerate are crime, suicide, bankruptcy, courts, prosecution, etc. Before Pattern for Progress makes any more endorsements for casinos, they should speak to people in Erie County and Connecticut, and find out why citizens have joined forces to fight all further casino expansion. The impact of three casinos proposed for Sullivan County would forever adversely affect our way of life. For one, traffic passing through Orange County, the Shawangunk Ridge and the Rondout Valley would reach epic proportions with the anticipated 23 million gaming visits per year. All this stands in direct opposition to Pattern for Progress’ mission statement, which aims to “preserve and promote the social, economic and natural environments of the Mid-Hudson region...and ensure a high quality of life.” Being in a position of public responsibility and influence, we can only hope they will not cave in to casino interests.

Delay is a gambler’s winning strategy

To the editor:

What will the spectacularly overdue Appellate Court decision concerning gambling mean?

First, the court appears to have done something courts don’t generally do. They have, for whatever reason, created the widespread impression that they have tailored the timing of their decision to political considerations.

Whatever their decision, its remarkable delay has played into the hands of Pataki and gambling interests. Gambling sites, which many authorities believe will ultimately be found to be illegal, have opened during the prolonged delay or have continued operating.

Secondly, if the court supports the anti-gambling plaintiffs, it will be a noteworthy win because such a decision would be a continuation of the momentum of major court victories that have rewarded the efforts of Cornelius Murray, our Albany attorney, from the outset. Should gambling interests prevail, however, it would be seen as but a blip in the momentum of these victories as it would be perceived by many as a decision by a court that had already appeared to have been willing to accommodate the needs and wishes of gambling interests.

Thirdly, if anti-gambling interests prevail at this level, Pataki will appeal—prolonging the proceedings as much as possible, thus allowing the gambling operations already functioning to continue to pile up profits at great cost to taxpayers. If gambling interests prevail, anti-gambling forces will appeal to higher courts, courts perceived as less accommodating to Pataki. (If memory serves, each and every one of our appeals has been sustained while every single one of theirs has been rejected.)

Finally, the ultimate decision will come from the U.S. Supreme Court, which in its only decision on the issue, decided in favor of the anti-gambling position.

For reasons that should now be apparent, delay has been the persistent, if primitive, strategy of gambling interests. It is hypocritical to complain that they want to get this thing settled. We want it settled, ASAP, and we are sincere. History and common sense make evident that they are not—because they know that they will ultimately lose and that delay is the only way they can keep their operations functioning.

Town meetings are a place to exchange ideas

To the editor:

As President of the Civic Association of Smallwood, I take issue with Ms. Connolly’s assertion regarding “tactics used by the people who run that association.” Innuendo is a poor form of discourse. Participation is a far better role that one would play if they wish to enhance their community. Obviously Connolly is unhappy with all that is around her and will not join the civic association where her voice might be heard. Our association is open for anyone to join, unlike the closed, gated communities around us where you must join. Since we have over 500 members who have opted to pay the $30 yearly fee, we must be doing something right. We too are enhancing our community and are making changes that are always being done with our membership in mind. We have many new residents who have joined the civic association with a membership at the lake and/or have joined the Club at Smallwood.

It would be wise for Connolly to read Robert Fontanella’s companion column of July 8th and see what the definition of truth really is. Abramson and Picker’s view is skewed to suit the needs of Woodstone since they live within the gate of The Chapin Estate. Additionally, town meetings are not tea parties, but a place to exchange ideas in a vigorous fashion. The more who attend these meetings, the healthier the town will be.

Smallwood Civic Association does not speak for everyone

To the editor:

Once again Denise Connolly has revealed her sycophantic tendencies to intimate that the Smallwood Civic Association does not speak for everyone in Smallwood, or Bethel for that matter. The civic association has never said that it does, only that we have over 500 paid members in the association and that we have collected over 1,600 signatures supporting the second access at Toronto Reservoir. Over 900 of these signatures are from residents of Sullivan County, which includes Bethel and Smallwood, and the remainder are from other areas as far away as Alaska. The town board is the place to discuss matters in a public forum with open discussion. Connolly has never appeared at a town board meeting in the last two-and-a-half years during the time this issue has been discussed. According to Chris Cunningham, Sullivan County Legislative Chair, [Government]” that is open and accountable...encourages discussion..publicparticipation...opinions and ideas.…”

It is lovely to note that Connolly has upgraded her property. So have many others without fanfare have done so. The Civic Association of Smallwood has received a grant from Sullivan Renaissance, and has involved its youth in the program to create gardens at the civic park.

This is what community activity is all about, and we welcome all residents to participate in our programs.

Celebrating independence in Lumberland

To the editor:

Oh, what a great day it was in the Town of Lumberland on Sunday, July 4th, the birthday of our nation! On that day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. Our patriotic community celebrated that day with a joyful parade. John Adams, member of the committee to draft a declaration said: “I believe that it [the Declaration of Independence] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty...”

Indeed, the succeeding generations are celebrating this anniversary with great joy and rightly so. But very seldom in these days are we thankful to God Almighty for blessing our nation with 228 years. Worst yet, we try to throw God out from our lives, from our schools and government institutions.

As a naturalized citizen, I praise the Lord for the hospitality of this great nation, for giving me protection and saving me from communist tyranny. For that reason the date of July 4th has become a delightful occasion for me to celebrate.

As a resident of the Town of Lumberland I express my sincere thanks to the organizers of this beautiful patriotic parade. I was proud to take part in it. I was proud that so many people, young and old, marched proudly to express the spirit of independence.

Bohdan Kandiuk
Glen Spey, NY