And the stupidity goes on

Seventy years old and the story hasn’t changed at all. What story? The human nature story. Man, when exposed to a disaster, has his mettle tested, which brings out his true nature. Unfortunately, and often, the preying thief or looter quality of man erupts as his dominant quality.

The humanitarian comes to the aid of the suffering masses while the looter enters and steals the unfortunate victims’ properties and possessions. You name the disaster and this looting has been evident. The U.S.’s greatest natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina, which necessitated the evacuation of New Orleans and much of the Mississippi delta area, has not only erupted in mass looting, but the taking of life by shooting.

But the desperados on the streets are not the only thieves. Katrina was nationally reported on the media for many days as possibly the worst hurricane to ever hit our coast. Meanwhile, our nation’s leaders sat stupidly on their duffs while Gulf Coast cities were destroyed. Amazing that they can call up thousands of security forces whenever and wherever a dignitary appears but nary a one before a definite and defined disaster. “The hell with the people” seems to be the message from our leaders. Deal with them later if need be.

The problem is that “later” always entails more cost and carnage then if they’d been dealt with before in the first place. Our government has given priority to other nations and big business so as to further line their pockets, taking money away from the levees of New Orleans. These monies have endowed oil companies with astronomical profits at our expense.

True there are other factors that enter into this equation and a full investigation would take a Sunday New York Times. But to present questions as to the mismanagement of your money and of your trust and faith in government is to spread truth and to enlighten you.

Americans, get your stupid heads out of the pill bottles.

In defense of Briggs

Outrageous, sneaky and down right deceitful. That’s what best describes the actions of legislative leader Chris Cunningham and his cohorts in the sleazy behind-the-scenes partisan deal to fire County Manager Dan Briggs.

For Cunningham to cushion the blow by saying “Briggs will receive a generous severance package” is like me punching someone in the nose and saying “don’t worry about the blood; I’ll get you a tissue.”

How dumb do you think people are? Legislator Ron Hiatt saying it was a “matter of business, not friendship” is a sheer understatement.

It was business all right, “monkey business.” People, look at the cast of characters and listen to their battlecry. “This should be an elected position.”

This has career advancement written all over it. If and when the decision is made to make County Manager an elected position, watch and see who lines up to take a run at the job. If those names are Cunningham, Hiatt or Wohl then you have your answer. If not, then Dan Briggs was the victim of partisan, nasty, inept politicians who have forgotten their humble beginnings and have gotten way too big for their britches. Either way it stinks. Briggs deserved better.

Truth dawns

Can the truth finally be forcing itself on Thompson Supervisor, Tony “Tunnel Vision” Cellini?

Though he persists in pushing the malarkey packaged for him by casino interests, he was recently quoted in The New York Times as admitting, (perhaps he thought it was off the record): “It’s discouraging. The anti-casino group just keeps building momentum.”

Does he wonder why people are increasingly waking up? Does he see that the rapidly growing anti-casino group has honest and important things to say? These are things that can save the entire area from the grid-locked, crime-ridden, family-busting folly that he is promoting.

Or does the truth just panic him and cause him to say the foolish things he does?

Yukiguni should be welcomed

Mamakating will never become a Thompson or a Wallkill because its geography of mountains and lakes won’t allow it. The town is 63 square miles and only three percent is zoned for commercial development. Our dilemma is that this commercial zone is located in the shadow of the Shawangunks, adjacent to the D&H Canal path and upstream from the Bashakill. Our restrictive zoning laws and vocal environmental groups have discouraged many firms from considering Mamakating. We pay high property taxes because we have virtually no commercial properties to relieve the tax burden. New home construction has soared, and we face a demand for new schools, roads and increased funding for parks, fire departments and our new library district.

New York State’s SEQRA process requires a stringent review of all the environmental and cultural impacts of all major proposed projects. So far, Yukiguni Maitake Manufacturing Corporation of America has passed all the tests. Despite that fact, inaccurate rumors continue to confuse those residents who are not familiar with the findings of the DEIS and FEIS. The sad truth is that a lot of residents are being frightened by mistruths that the Bashakill will dry up and Wurtsboro’s water supply will be depleted.

I would like to clear up some misinformation from those statements. In the project’s FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) it makes clear that “impacts describing a wide range of drought conditions have been evaluated and none indicate that the aquifer cannot support the proposed project.” While the appearance of the Yukiguni project may offend some people who hike along the D&H Canal and the Shawangunk Ridge, it is not going to be highly visible from Route 209. It will be 21 feet lower than Kohl’s and will set back 738 feet from Route 209, where the land is considerably lower.

The scientific facts and studies have already proven that the mushroom facility will not harm our environment. Yukiguni will pay over $1,285,000 in property taxes (school, county and town) per year. It is a nonpolluting, clean industry with a bright future. Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is studying the maitake mushroom and a major university is testing the use of its by-product to purify PCB contaminated soil. I believe Yukiguni will be a good neighbor. This is a great project for my community and I fully support it.

Thanks for the trip

We would like to thank the Tusten Youth Commission for organizing our trip to Camelbeach Waterpark. We had a great day, and it was a nice way to end the summer before going back to school.

In praise of Smallwood Day

I recently attended Smallwood Day, sponsored by the board of directors of the Smallwood Civic Association and Friends Restaurant. It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all members of my family ranging from four years old to 70 plus. The day was highlighted by wonderful music from a variety of groups, delicious food and children’s games. It was a lovely day spent with family and friends in the much- improved Smallwood Park. The hard-working members of the civic association went above and beyond to create a fun, family and community-centered day. I truly hope that Smallwood Day becomes an annual event that continues to bring the community together for years to come.

Refineries are the bottleneck

Yesterday, on the 6:30 news, we heard that much of the high cost of gasoline is due to our failure to build new refineries. We also learned that it would be 10 years or more to have these refineries running. And these new refineries would be in a better climate than Alaska.

President Bush, instead of insisting on the violation of Alaska, why not help our oil people by building new refineries in Texas etc.? You could be a real hero.

Commemorating 9/11

The fourth anniversary of the tragic date of September 11, 2001 is upon us. On that day four years ago, as a result of the cowardly act of the terrorists, thousands of innocent people lost their lives at World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and in hijacked airplanes. Hundreds of police officers and firefighters gave their lives to help others.

The tragedy of 9/11 has taught us a lesson that only united actions by humanity can overcome the terrorism.

To pay respect to all the victims of that tragedy, on Sunday, September 11 there will be a Panakhyda conducted by the Rev. Mark Hirniak at the Ukrainian St.Volodymyr Catholic Church in Glen Spey, at 10:15 a.m. We invite all residents of Town of Lumberland and guests to join us in that brief solemn commemoration to pay respect to the victims of 9/11.