A parody misunderstood

To the editor:

It was with disbelief that I read in your last issue Anne Hart’s insensitive diatribe against my wife’s post-flood “River Muse” column. Is it possible that a literate person could have missed the parody? Would the reader have preferred instead a personal sob story of loss and destruction? Was Ms. Hart in the flats as my wife helped friends rescue threatened property to higher ground, and afterward emptied flood-sodden treasures into dump trucks?

Responding to Hart’s further attack, Cass and I opened our home on 9/11/01 to refugees who lived closer to the Twin Towers than we (who lived only a quarter-mile away). My bar provided employment to at least one refugee to the New Orleans flood, and any of our many friends from that devastated city are always welcome to our home if they need it.

Looking beyond this, Cass and I would like to thank with all our souls the work of the brave volunteer firefighters who supported us, evacuated us, and helped to dry us out after the flood. The town, too, was magnificent in responding to the emergency, rapidly repairing destroyed roads and providing dumpsters to desperate flood victims. We also have many friends and neighbors to thank, people who have helped us try to heal the river’s wound.

Jim Stratton

What’s wrong with this picture?

To the editor:

The Town of Mamakating held its town cleanup the first weekend in June. To obtain a permit to dispose of rubbish on cleanup day, Town of Mamakating policy is that “proof of residency with street address must be presented (i.e. driver’s license, electric bill and/or tax bill).”

Curiously, it seems that if John Piazza, chair of our planning board, had to provide that same proof of residency when he was re-appointed for a second seven-year term in 2005, he would not have qualified. His driver’s record as of March 2005 showed a Derby Road, Middletown address, as did the affidavit he signed for his Star Exemption (based on primary residence) dated back in 1999. An interim license dated January 2006—after the elections—does show a Bloomingburg address, that of a house owned by his mother.

What was used as evidence of residence for purposes of the elections was Piazza’s voter registration. Although he had moved to Orange County in the mid ‘90s, he apparently continued to vote in Mamakating using a post office box number at least until 1999, according to a voter registration form with the comment “reinstated 9/1/99. Not Deceased – Purged in error.” However, as of December 2004, he was not registered to vote anywhere in Sullivan County, according to a letter from the Office of the Board of Elections. In view of another voter registration form with a “chg enr” stamp on it, and the year 2005 (but no month or day) written on it in a handwriting that does not appear to be that of Piazza, Piazza reregistered sometime last year using his mother’s Bloomingburg address. The space titled “Your address was (give house number, street and city)” is left blank, as is the date next to Piazza’s signature.

“Proof enough,” said all five council members as they renewed his seat. But the documents are ambiguous at best.

I suppose residents should take solace in the fact that while Mr. Piazza continues to chair our planning board, he can’t dump garbage here. Though some might say, that’s exactly what he’s been doing.

Richard Morris

Wurtsboro, NY

Municipal authority squelches community service

To the editor:

The Beach Lake Volunteer Firemen’s Auxiliary would like to protest the costly assessment of $3,250 yearly the Beach Lake Municipal Authority has levied upon the organization, which is a non-profit entity.

The organization has constantly striven to operate and maintain the historical building, as well as open the building to many causes from 4-H projects to benefits for needy causes, at a minimal cost or no cost at all.

Sadly, now this liberal policy regarding the community and surrounding area will be no more. There can be no more free or minimal charge for anyone.

The Beach Lake Municipal Authority, bolstered by the decision of Judge Conway, has succeeded in squashing our participation in community service.

We sincerely regret this and feel that the Beach Lake Volunteer Firemen’s Auxiliary has been rendered a grave disservice.

To Arlen Specter on his immigration field hearings

To the editor:

Your staged field hearings, with hand-selected witnesses consisting of elected officials, corporate representatives and business and government organizations, are nothing less than an abomination.

Where is the working-class representation? You have tailored the testimony to promote your personal agenda. Not one normal, working-class citizen was among this panel. Not one individual whose career was destroyed by the existing guest-worker programs that you so graciously support. The senate spin on the immigration debate is an outright injustice to American workers and common working-class citizens.

It is time the working-class people learn the truth about the sellouts who portray themselves as representatives. It is time for Americans to rise up, be vocal and take back our nation. It is time to demand that leadership represent the people, not their corporate clientele.

You took the easy way out, Senator Specter, tail between your legs. You can’t face the people whose faith, confidence and trust you have betrayed. You fear the voice of the people, thus you have silenced us at your staged charade labeled a field hearing. Hopefully, the people of Pennsylvania will take to the polls with blinders off in the future and permanently displace you from your position in our nation’s capitol.

Toni L. Chester