I’m an unaligned noncombatant in the war between the National Park Service (NPS) and our neighbors with stakes (literal and figurative) along the banks of the Delaware. But I thought a neutral’s view needed airing after all the NPS-bashing over removal of Art Peck’s “lighthouse.” In particular, I have some comments on your editorial in The River Reporter of September 7 and on Cass Collins’s earlier River Muse column, “The Lighthearted Lighthouse.”

I was struck by the descriptive flourishes used to portray Art’s “art,” by the warm and homey context in which they appeared (the “odd duck,” “twinkle in his eyes,” “quirky,” “tongue in cheek” terminology), and the contrastingly negative portrait of one citizen who took a different view of Art’s handiwork (Collins calls him “a grumpy spoil-sport”). The NPS, of course, gets the role of The Grinch Who Stole Humor from the River Valley.

Some questions: what if that structure had been a patchwork plywood hand, middle finger rigidly extended, slapped together by some “quirky” Joe Sixpack, and had included a sign proclaiming “F**k the Flood AND the NPS!”? Would the editorial sense of odd-duck whimsy have located those “angels in the details?” Would we have had comparisons to the Manhattan art scene and paeans to “peculiar” activism?

One person’s whimsy is another’s defacement of nature. Who decides whether it’s the masterwork of an amateur river artist or the unsightly remnants of a junkyard sell-off?

I applaud Peck’s sense of humor in the face of natural calamity, but would caution that, without NPS intervention in “small” matters like this, our river residents might have far more unwanted detritus engendering “arrogance, rage and fear” than “artwork” inspiring “humor, generosity, compassion, [and] tolerance.” Sadly, it is not the angels, but the devils—those odd-duck devils—that still predominate in the detail.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Peck did not make better use of his carpentry skills by helping his neighbors rebuild their flood-damaged homes. Many of us are still hard at work making repairs, often without friends, family or money to help. The callousness of his juvenile prank is, sadly, appalling. If he insists on displaying his red and white phallus, keep it on his front lawn. Otherwise, leave the river alone.

What does it take?

Empire Resorts, Inc. says a 5,000-employee casino at Monticello Raceway will not have a significant impact on a “human environment.” This absurd claim is the basis for sidestepping the national Environmental Policy Act requirement that they file a comprehensive environmental impact statement that would investigate the effects of their operation.

This corporate hubris reflects a mindset of being above the law, and far above the community in which the company intends to operate. Such behavior is grounds enough for the citizenry to form a consensus that this particular management ought to be barred from the region, because it fails the necessary requirement of being a good neighbor. This is our community, and all are welcome who honestly seek, and work to provide for, the general welfare. Otherwise, “forget about it.”

Here are some significant “human environment” impacts that no one can deny or forget, no one should perpetrate, and no one suffer:

1) With 5,000 employees, this casino would be the largest employer in the county by a factor of four.

2) Casino gambling is certified as one of three greatest sources of addiction illness, the others being tobacco and drugs.

3) Business plans of casinos and academic research confirm that most of the profits are made from addicted gamblers and gamblers whose profiles indicate susceptibility to become problem gamblers.

4) Millions of additional visitors to this one site will cause traffic and air-quality issues that affect general commerce and public health and public safety and raise costs in government service far above any mitigating fees that may be paid.

5) Empire Resorts, Inc. has been unable and/or unwilling to keep teenagers—whose addiction rates to gambling are rising much faster than adults—from gambling at its racino.

Are these realities, and many others that could be listed, insignificant impacts on a human environment? Follow the law, respect the truth where it is known, and come to us with a plan that meets corporate goals and public necessity.

With the sound of the Beach Lake fire siren bellowing across the village of Beach Lake a small group of firefighters, EMS personnel, and local citizens gathered last week to remember those lost five years ago on September 11.

Although the ceremony was short and sweet, the message was long and loud: “We will never forget.” “Amazing Grace” could be heard as the flag was put to half mast, and with tears held back, the “Fire Fighters’ Prayer” and the “EMS Prayer” were read, followed by the Alan Jackson song, “Where were you when the world stopped turning?”

People at the post office and Bob’s Quick Stop could be seen in the distance stopping for a moment of silence in the direction of our nation’s red, white and blue symbol, the American flag. Although they were not at the immediate ceremony, they all knew the purpose of this event.

This all ended as the siren sang long and loud over the village.

Participating in this event were members of the Beach Lake Fire Company, White Mills Fire Company, Lava Fire Company, Jeffersonville Fire Company, Tusten Ambulance Corps, local citizens and a soldier who served two terms in Iraq.

As the turmoil continues in Iraq, let us all remember our lost loved ones from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Flight 93 and our troops who continue to serve and die. Please continue to pray for the survivors and their families, our troops and their families, and when you hear a siren, our local emergency workers.

Anthony Franklin

Regarding the poorly researched and misleading article in your September 14-20 issue, “Heat pumps for the Northeast,” please note that even though the company mentioned cannot produce a reliable dual-stage heat pump, many other companies are doing so.

While it is true that there is heat in the air down to absolute zero, the heat available below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is so little that it requires an inordinate amount of electrical energy to extract enough to heat a home in our area. Practical heat pump systems in the Northeast use heat from the ground (geothermal). Ground temperature below the frost line never goes below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes for very efficient operation of a heat pump.

Not mentioned in the article, but a great advantage of these systems, is that in the summer, they operate in reverse to provide central air conditioning. Air conditioning is virtually free because heat from the house is used to heat domestic hot water, and enough is saved by not using the electric water heater to pay for the air conditioning.

I have had my system in place for two winters, and find that the only heating system less expensive to operate would be to cut your own wood along with all the extra work and mess.

Floyd Schnakenberg

[Editor’s note: our article specified that it was focusing only on air heat pumps. As noted in the last paragraph of the article, geothermal systems are an excellent heating alternative, but with the caveat that they are extremely expensive to install.]

I compliment you all, and believe your attitude and your work are holding the county together, ensuring that things will look better and get better. But there is one area in which, by acting boldly, you can treat and restore to health a longtime rub.

The sore is the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Road Patrol deputies’ unlivable salary schedule. Their starting salary is $27,000, and they must contribute toward their limited health coverage.

To make matters worse, a variety of salts get thrown into this wound. Here are two. One: in many small villages, police officers receive full health coverage, and a starting salary higher than a Sullivan County Road Patrol veteran of 21 years or more. Two: this condition has sat for so long that it borders on neglect in the form of hard disregard—of the actual economic conditions, the social dynamics in Sullivan County that require greater law enforcement protection, the importance of the road patrol, and the high-level skills and training required for a deputy.

A large majority of Sullivan County citizens would support a raise in taxes in order to have a top-notch salary schedule for road deputies. Of course, there would be gripes, some kind, many insulting, but if you stand firm, the wisdom of your decision will demonstrate forthwith that among the best things, there’s nothing better than the sight of tax dollars working well. These tax dollars in the form of a progressive and model salary schedule for our road deputies will benefit the county immensely for years to come.

Ed Mack