A great job on Bethel Woods book

To the editor:

I want to thank The River Reporter’s entire staff for the great job they did in producing the Bethel Woods opening night book, “Getting There.” This full-color glossy book came out beautifully, and it will show our visitors everything this county has to offer as they experience the beauty of Bethel Woods. The ability of your paper to make sure our local businesses were represented to the visitors of Bethel Woods was exactly what we needed, and it is very much appreciated. To be able to produce such a high-quality product on such short notice and not give up is a testament to the quality and dedication of your entire staff. They should all be commended on the great job they did.

I can’t speak for other local business owners, but I can say that the product has already benefited us in the short time it’s been out. Thank you for looking out for our local businesses and trying your best to make sure we all benefit from this wonderful new entity called Bethel Woods. It’s things like this, with everyone working together towards a common goal, that will keep this county strong as we move forward. Keep up the great work.

A lack of sensitivity

To the editor:

It was with much disbelief that I read this week’s “River Muse” by Cass Collins. I found the column to be a most insensitive and obnoxious view of last week’s disastrous events.

I would like to remind Ms. Collins, “woman of many homes,” that a young girl’s life was lost, and that her family and many others are homeless as a result of the devastating floods of last week. I would also like to remind her that many businesses are impacted much more than the “perennially flooded basement of her husband’s tavern,” which provides her son with “steady employment.” Would Ms. Collins like to offer one of her other homes as shelter to those left without or to urge her husband to give employment to those in need?

Toward an even better fair in Wurtsboro

To the editor:

The officers and friends of the Wurtsboro Board of Trade (WBOT) would like to clarify some public misrepresentation of the events leading up to the cancellation of this year’s Wurtsboro Founder’s Day Street Fair.

Most of the local papers printed our press release stating the exact reasons the fair was cancelled. The Times-Herald Record added slanted commentary that contributed to the rumor mill. We would have appreciated it if they had just printed the press release.

The mayor and the village trustees were in no way responsible for canceling the event. A quorum of WBOT members discussed the pros and cons of the event and concluded that it should be reorganized for the safety and security of the people in our community and those thousands who come to visit on that day.

We commend the mayor and the trustees in Wurtsboro for making efforts to progress with the street fair this year.

With a lack of the appropriate kinds of liability insurance, disorganized traffic control and lack of appropriately trained staff to organize the entire event, we felt it was in the best interest of all concerned to take a good look at a great event and do it even better next year.

WBOT is the sole sponsor of the Founder’s Day Street Fair. We understand how much our community looks forward to this one-day event each and every July. It was certainly not an easy decision to make, but one that ensured the safety and security of our family, friends and visitors.

This summer, we plan on having smaller events to include concerts, square dances, a children’s day, girls’ night out, movie night and more. We will invite non-profit organizations that usually profit from the street fair to do fundraising at these events. Wurtsboro has a rich history and we intend to continue to work toward the revitalization of our village and town with hopes that next year’s Wurtsboro Founder’s Day Street Fair tops them all.

Paul Haber, Vice President

Patti Anderson, Secretary

Casino promoters show contempt for system

To the editor:

Casino promoters have reached a new high in disrespect for the welfare of the residents of Sullivan County. On June 19, just before midnight, the governor attached a bill of necessity mark to a bill permitting two more casino projects in Sullivan County. Both of these are to be operated by Wisconsin-based Indian tribes, the Stockbridge Muncies Band of Mohicans and the Wisconsin Oneidas. Their payroll last year included a $10,000 per month lobbyist, Senator Bruno’s son Kenneth, at which time the senator proposed casinos for the same tribes.

This last-minute filing rescinds all regular requirements and allows for a vote in three days, the last of the legislative season. Senator Bruno put the bill through the rules committee, so no sponsors are visible. To quote casino lobbyists for tribes not included in the bill, it was “outrageous ... breathtaking in its audacity.” This bill was rejected before it came to a vote, but the procedure reflects a disdain for the democratic process. The preceding 5-4 vote by the Sullivan County legislature in favor of the St. Regis Mohawk casino at Monticello Raceway, in which the legislature did not even request an environmental impact statement, reflects a similar disdain.

The actual net impacts of casino operations are extremely negative. New Jersey and Nevada have the largest per capita state deficits in the country. New London County, Connecticut, home of two large and profitable casinos, has raised real estate and school taxes, and still had to bond millions to pay for the impacts of casinos. Some day politicians may place a greater value on community and human life and happiness.

Without government sponsorship, casinos are not possible. It is a travesty of justice that government brings this harm to us, when there is so great a need for imaginative new ways of financing services that genuinely provide for the public good. The interests of politicians at all levels were once again clearly aligned with an industry that cannot be tolerated. It says so right in the New York State Constitution!