Enough is too much

Enough is enough.

Enough killing of people.

Enough maiming of people.

Enough money spent.

Enough is enough.

Imagine a place that’s different

To the editor:

I hope that the legislators of Sullivan County will stop this madness before our beautiful home is forever ruined and devastated by the inevitable sprawl that casinos will leave in their wake if they are allowed to take root here.

This is my home – It is the only home I have, and I love this place. I love that it has endured as a place of exquisite beauty and tranquility despite the encroachment of shortsighted developers in neighboring areas surrounding this county. I am angry about the prospect of casino gambling—and I am not alone.

We don’t have to succumb to the pressures to be like every other “Anywhere, USA.” We can have a different vision, because the natural beauty of this area can inspire such vision. We can find a better way, one that is in tune with our natural surroundings. If we are concerned with our children’s and our grandchildren’s future, we can make sure that we protect this most fragile environment from the ravages of greed.

If my voice falls on deaf ears, then I will leave this place. It will be too sad to sit by and watch it destroyed, which it certainly will be. I will sell my home and reap a big, fat profit and a heavy heart. I will seek and find some other community that dares to say no environmental degradation. A community that is truly concerned with a quality of life that is in balance. I hope it doesn’t come to that.

John Lennon wrote, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one – I hope some day you’ll join us….” Just imagine.

Elected officials know best

To the editor:

This correspondence is in response to my friend Steven Sharoff’s recent letter to a publication (Sullivan County Democrat, January 28, 2005) concerning putting the county casino issue to a public referendum. As the Town of Thompson Supervisor, I was elected by the people to make decisions on their behalf I am confident that as a former candidate for county legislature, Mr. Sharoff can appreciate that in order to gain public office, or in my case retain it, you have to be keenly aware of your constituency’s desires. Putting forth a referendum regarding the most discussed topic in this county’s history points a shameful finger at the elected officials who have yet to make a decision.

I wonder why the federal, state and county governments have not put their most important issues to referendum? Abortion, the death penalty, and the future of the landfill, respectively, have never gone before the will of the people. I assume it has something to do with a trustee form of government.

Again, Sullivan County residents have been inundated with casino pros and cons for decades. If the elected officials of their respective districts do not have a pulse on their constituency by now, perhaps the electorate should reconsider the future of those representatives. Let us not prolong this debate any longer.

David Goodstein of Brookside Homes has arguably put more real property on the tax rolls than any other individual in Sullivan County. I hope his elected representatives are aware of his opinions as a constituent. I am aware of mine.

Call your legislator and say no

To the editor:

I implore all the Sullivan County citizens to call their legislators to tell them not to commit to five casinos for Sullivan County until such time that a full cost/benefit analysis is conducted to assess the cumulative effects of five casinos in Sullivan County.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the planned St. Regis/Mohawk Tribe’s Mountain Casino and Resort at Kutsher’s Country Club was based on three casinos and one racino. It did not consider the Bethel Performing Arts Center and two additional casinos. The final EIS for the proposed Kutsher’s casino states the following:

“Although traffic will increase, the New York State Department of Transportation’s evaluation of Route 17 in its process to designate it as Interstate 86 has indicated that there is sufficient capacity to handle the existing and projected traffic on these highways. Therefore, the peak hours during which casino visitors pass through the corridor will not have a significant impact and the existing highway can support the traffic without the need for improvements.”

Does anyone really believe the above conclusion that the existing Quickway can support heavier traffic without the need for improvements for just three casinos and one racino? What happens when you add two more casinos, as well as the Bethel Performing Arts Center? How can one estimate the financial, environmental and social costs to the county without doing a full cost/benefit analysis based on five casinos, one racino and the Bethel Performing Arts Center? How can the legislators conclude that an annual donation of $15,000,000 per tribe is adequate to cover costs if that figure is based on an inadequate analysis? Perhaps that amount would make improvements in Sullivan County now, but what about the increased costs to the county as a direct result of opening the casinos? Will that amount cover the cost of increased police protection? trash collection? county highway upkeep? firefighting and ambulance service? public assistance for those whose jobs are taken away by casinos? The truth is, the legislators must have a full cost/benefit analysis done before they vote on a decision that if approved, will forever change Sullivan County.

Residents of Sullivan County, you hold your future in your hands. Please immediately call your legislator at 845/794-3000 ext. 3300 (or fax them at 845-794-0650) and tell them to vote yes for a full cost/benefit analysis and no to five casinos, until such analysis is complete. Our quality of life depends on taking this precaution, and your own future depends on your making this call.

Treating the landscape with respect

To the editor:

On January 27, 2005, I attended the Cochecton Planning Board Meeting in order to learn more about what Brookside Homes planned to do with the Zlystra Farm that it had recently purchased and subdivided.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Brookside planned a very modest three-home subdivision covering over 30 percent of the property. This was directly opposite of what I had feared—mainly, an over-development of what is a very nice piece of property. I would like to thank them on behalf of Cochecton residents for a housing plan that compliments the area, as opposed to marring it. I can only hope the remaining 80 acres will be treated as gently.

We must save our school

To the editor:

Is anyone as angry as I am regarding the Times-Herald Record article pertaining to the possible closing of Narrowsburg School?

At a pre-merger meeting, it was stated that one of the reasons for merging was that no one would want to move to Narrowsburg because of the size of the school and what it had to offer. We were told to check with realtors and see if potential buyers question them about the school system and if the size of our school deterred some from purchasing property in the area. I wonder how potential buyers would feel about no school in the town and having their children ride the bus for more than an hour to get to school.

Another reason for merging was the over-crowded situation in Narrowsburg. Well, now it seems that there are not enough students, which is why it may have to close. Wasn’t this the point in the beginning to uncrowd the school? This, after how much of our money to renovate this building?

How about bringing back Narrowsburg’s kindergarten through eight and let the high school students go to Lake Hungtington and—voilá—room for all. Or, how about using the unused space for other educational programs? How about Sullivan County Community College courses?

And what did Narrowsburg School have to offer? What it had to offer was an education that led many of its students to deans lists in some of the best colleges in the state, an extremely low rate of dropouts, a high rate of students who went on to college, a safety factor that cannot be found in a distant school where everyone doesn’t know your name and finally, a greater probability of a student not getting lost in the shuffle.

We were a school without debt—now it seems that getting rid of Narrowsburg School will save the other schools from getting deeper in debt. And, by the way, whatever happened to that 95 percent state aid? Is there only one member of the board championing Narrowsburg’s cause? Can no one see the inequity in this?

I know sports is, in some eyes, not part of an education. But what one does have to admit is that taking the sports from our school, took something very big from our town. We have become almost a ghost town and those who fought hardest for the merger seem not to care.

Many of those who voted for this merger, voted because they were led to believe that it would benefit Narrowsburg. Our taxes increased, our streets are barren of the vitality of children and it breaks my heart. I will not believe that we have no legal recourse and I will investigate this possibility. I hope there are enough of you out there who are just as angry as I and will also let your voices be heard.

[Editor’s note: While the school district is facing a dire financial situation, there is currently no plan for the closing of any of the district’s school buildings. For more about this issue read the editorial on page 6.]

By helping others, we find our true selves

To the editor:

Exchanging our views on today’s world, my friend stated that these days people are definitely not friendly and rough. To obtain needed information he called appropriate office. To his disappointment the person on another end in nasty language and harsh voice gave him a short “lesson,” indicating that he is calling a wrong number and wasting her time. Not the first time I was told that now days you have to search for the goodness in the people.

Not necessarily so. Not long ago with a newly fallen snow, coming from the store with two grocery bags I stepped on the ice and fell to the ground. In a second, a friendly person helped me to get up and offered to take me to the hospital for medical attention. He took me to my car. I thanked him and asked for his name. With a friendly smile he said: “Just call me a good Samaritan.” Yes, this is an example that there is goodness in the people. You do not have to search for it.

After the first overnight snow, I got up in the morning to find out that my driveway was clear. Knowing that I have problem with my spine my neighbor Gary cleared my driveway. When I approached him to express my thanks and to reward him, he stated that he did it as a good neighbor. He is another shining example of humanity and friendship.

One day I felt sick so I called the office of my family doctor, Dr. Walter Kaufman. After hearing my problem, the receptionist advised me to come to the office without waiting for appointment. Dr. W. Kaufmann, as always, diagnosed my illness, prescribed the right medication and assured me that I will be fine. Leaving the office his office staff, Ann (office manager); Julie (nurse); and Lori (receptionist) wished me a speedy recovery. It was another inspirational experience.

Did you ever try to stop at the Lumberland municipal office?, Supervisor John LiGreci always has the time to exchange with you few words. His office employees, Victoria (town clerk); Judith (assessor) or Phyllis (tax collector) usually greet you with friendly and cheerful smile when you enter the office.

Taking the above examples, we have to realize that the friendship and goodness exist. By helping others, we often find our true selves. If we cultivate the best that is in us; to be helpful to others; to try to relieve suffering and distress; encouraging the spirit of cheerfulness, we will form friendship, satisfaction and happiness.