No reason for a special election

To the editor:

There is absolutely no reason to consider a special election for the Department of Public Works issue in Tusten. The fact is that the town did not submit the necessary paperwork in a timely fashion, thus causing it to be left off the absentee ballots, according to the election officials in Monticello. Special elections are costly and are too often used to pass an agenda that the people oppose. Fewer people participate in special elections which are generally held when a large number of the taxpayers are away for the winter.

We have had some questionable results even in general elections. The likelihood is even greater in a special election. We have lived with a separate highway and water and sewer functions for a great number of years; we can live with it until the next regularly scheduled election. You currently get to determine who will run your highway department. If this proposal were to go through in a special election, the town supervisor would then decide whom to appoint as head of the combined departments and you would lose any say in the matter. This is not the democratic way. Let your town officials know your thoughts on this subject.

Narrowsburg, NY

Babe and Joe had plenty of company

To the editor:

An article on a commemoration of Smoky Joe Wood in your October 23 issue stated, “Only Babe Ruth shares the same honor as Joe, having played professional ball as both a pitcher and in another position.”

Even if we restrict “professional ball” to mean “U.S. major league baseball,” ignoring minor and foreign leagues, 1,218 players have this “honor.” Granted, most of them did only occasional duty in one or the other role, while Joe was a great pitcher with 117 wins in his injury-shortened career and played 442 games as a pretty good fielder. But at least 40 players had significant major league careers pitching and in another fielding position. Four players both pitched more games than Joe and played more games in the field, the most recent being Hal Jeffcoat. Babe Ruth was not one of them; he pitched only 163 games to Joe’s 225.

The bashing is bunk

To the editor:

So here we go again with the negative letters to the editor bashing our current elected officials, even though they are not even running this year. I am not one for politics or even reading about it, but when people start bashing again because they have nothing better to do it upsets me.

People of Bethel have a right to vote for whomever they choose, and as far as our local politicians they should have the right to back whomever they feel is the right person for the job. If people thought Harold Russell was a man of integrity, don’t you think he would have won last year? What Bethel needed and got in Mr. Sturm was a strong leader, hard worker, and family man who is loyal and caring. When Mr. Russell was in office, all I heard during his term was all the negative things he did and all the stuff he didn’t do.

I have only heard good things about Daniel Sturm, and when I had an issue, he was there to take care of it. There will always be someone out there who has nothing better to do around election time than to write letters bashing someone or complaining about the Bethel Democratic Committee.

I have had no problems with Daniel Sturm as town supervisor. He has what Bethel needs—personal character, strong leadership and integrity. So let’s cut out the big-city bashing against our elected officials and worry about what needs to get done.

Adopt a turkey

To the editor:

Humans are funny birds. We love animals called “pets,” yet we eat animals called “dinner.” We spend billions of dollars each year pampering our dogs and cats, yet we send nearly 300 million turkeys to a gruesome death. We force turkeys to live miserable lives of intensive confinement and cruelty on factory farms, yet we claim to love animals.

Still, there are those throughout history who have recognized the turkey as much more than Thanksgiving dinner. Benjamin Franklin so admired turkeys that he suggested we make the turkey the national bird. Every year, the President of the United States finds it politically advantageous to pardon the turkey presented to him. And, thousands of Americans will feed a turkey this year, rather than eat a turkey, by adopting one through a national Adopt-a-Turkey Project. (Call 888-Sponsor or visit www.AdoptATurkey.org ).

Turkeys are living, feeling beings. They express happiness or fear, experience pain or pleasure and they just want to be loved, like anyone else. Spend some time with a live turkey and you’ll understand. Turkeys like to have their feathers stroked and make soft cooing sounds when you pet them. Turkeys are curious and follow people around, just as a dog does, to find out where they are going. Some will sit on your lap, and once I knew a turkey who liked to give “hugs” by stretching her neck around a person and cuddling.

As a nation of animal lovers, we should extend our compassion to all animals. Turkeys may not be as cute and fuzzy as puppies. But, then, is that really the right criterion to determine who is worthy of love and protection and who isn’t?

Where are we headed

To the editor:

What have we done to ourselves? Once proud, independent, envied and respected the world over, we have become an outcast in the eyes of many.

America has decayed economically, socially and morally. We may very well go by the way of the once almighty Roman Empire.

America was hailed by Kennedy as “The New Frontier,” by Johnson as “The Great Society” and by Reagan as “The Shining Beacon on the Hill.” Now, we are none of these things.

The American people have become distressed by the ongoing and unnecessary war in Iraq, the ineffectiveness of politicians, particularly by the unproductive and worst Congress and President in history, the runaway, uncontrolled financial institutions and the unimaginable greed and corruption of Wall Street executives. The absurdity of multi-million dollar salaries, bonuses and golden parachutes is beyond my comprehension, and they all saw our current situation coming like a freight train and did nothing to stop it. You and I, the common-sense working middle class, are now paying for it.

Some of us are to blame. Many have lived way beyond their means with purchases of homes they knew they could not afford, luxury cars they could not afford, a lavish lifestyle they could not afford and maxed-out credit cards they knew they could never pay.

I am proud to be an American and appreciate the good America offers. However, I fear the worst is yet to come. America is weak financially, politically, socially and yes, militarily. We no longer control our own destiny.

We now have a new President elect, inexperienced, with a silver tongue, but like his vanquished foe without a positive agenda or the ability to restore our country or our position in the world. The odds are long—let’s hope and pray for the best.

A very public thank you

To the editor:

On behalf of Barryville United Methodist Church (UMC), I would like to send a very public ‘”Thank You” to the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) for all their support at this year’s Pumpkin Fest. Thanks to you, we raised $3,050 for the continued rebuilding of our church basement, which housed our fellowship hall, kitchen and Sunday School room and was destroyed two years ago during the flood of 2006. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the people who donated money that day and to the GBCC for their matching $1,500 donation. Special appreciation is extended to chamber president Jimmy Akt for his time, equipment and help with some of the repair work. We look forward to the completion of the basement and to its use by the community in whatever ways God shows us. For we know He works all things to good.

Judy Dise, UMC Prayer Leader

Thanks for the help with Apple Fest

To the editor:

I would like to thank everyone who helped out, donated to and attended St. Vincent’s School second annual Apple Fest. The day was a tremendous success. There were tons of smiling, red-cheeked faces, lots of hot soup, talented apple bobbers and one very accommodating cow.

We have already begun brainstorming for next year’s Apple Fest. Mark your calendars. We have big things planned.