Kudos to the Wassermans

To the editor:

Can we clone the Wassermans? I would like to offer my thanks to both Joanne and Bob for their thoughtful submissions to this newspaper two weeks ago. In their gracious and quiet way, they have succinctly addressed the ailments of our local society, that being a microcosm of our country’s society at large.

It is said, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” It’s not too late to wish for people to set aside egos and greed. It’s not too late to wish for people to change their minds about violating the earth or turning their backs on alternative solutions to producing clean energy. It’s not too late to wish for people to become more conscious and aware and less willfully ignorant They only have to want to do it. I am not ashamed to beg.

Stop a sand pit from scarring the Byway

To the editor:

Route 97 has been designated as the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, a component of the New York State Scenic Byway System. This system is designed to protect and promote roads that are outstanding examples of scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological and/or natural qualities.

After only six short years of official protection by New York State, the byway is now being threatened by a sand pit that will scar the region for generations to come. We don’t oppose industry that brings work and economic benefit to the community, especially in this critical economic period. But this venture will not create jobs or provide significant economic benefit to the region. The benefit is primarily for the company.

The community will be saddled with years of harm from this venture, including a huge hole in the side of the mountain that will be seen for miles, an increase in noise pollution from the trucks, decreased property values and increased air pollution. One might argue that this is a matter of opinion until you start to fully digest the proposal being put forward by Little Joseph Realty (the mine owner).

Currently, zoning and development laws restrict this type of activity from taking place within 100 feet of the highway edge or 500 feet of any residential houses and restricts the development of a sand and gravel mining operation on a gradient that is 25 percent or greater. The proposed sand pit is located right on the Scenic Byway, 265 feet from the nearest residential house, 1,000 feet from the restored visitor’s center (the oldest train station in New York State), and will clear the side of the mountain on grades of over 30 percent.

The Town of Cochecton Planning Board is moving forward to vote on allowing this illegal sand pit on January 29. We would like to urge community members to attend and request the Town of Cochecton Planning Board to uphold the laws in which their predecessors created to preserve the beauty of this region. You can sign up at concernedcitizens@stopcochectonpit.com to have your voice heard and to receive update information on this important matter.

The Winglovitz Family

(The planning board has a different interpretation of the law, believing that state mining law supercedes local statutes, and maintains the gradient will be in compliance. See news section for details.)

Rescind the tax breaks

To the editor:

Two years ago, the so-called Millennium Pipeline was granted millions of dollars in tax breaks ( see riverreporter.com/issues/07-01-04/head1-ida.html ) Coincidently, this was just before the exploration of natural gas began in our area. The taxpayers have been misled. Should this pipeline be used to transport natural gas from wells drilled in our area, the tax breaks should be rescinded. Otherwise, we are subsidizing the gas companies with our tax dollars while receiving none of the benefits.

A post-holiday thank you

To the editor:

Once again the holiday season seemed to come and go so quickly.

But before it’s officially over, I wanted to send a special thank you out to our community for its overwhelming support of the Narrowsburg Ecumenical Food Pantry and the St. Francis Xavier Outreach Program.

Your charity once again ensured that 54 local families had a merry Christmas. My sincerest thanks to you all, once again, for your goodness and generosity.

If you would like to help our organizations, please call me at 845/252-3224.