A new high-water mark

To the editor:

It looks like we in Pike County are poised to set a new high-water mark for civilization: we are about to have two prisons and no library.

Congratulations to all concerned, especially to our august commissioners, whose responsibility it is to fund county services—including but not limited to penal infrastructure.

Who is really to blame?

To the editor:

In the story “Dogs kill six alpacas, llama,” you write, “Wechsler also confirmed it, saying, ‘Yeah, he [Salenger] murdered my dog,’ but he refused to discuss the incident further on the record.”

Mr. Wechsler is responsible for the death of his own dog, not Mr. Salenger. It was Mr. Wechsler who allowed his dogs to roam free, without supervision, and the dogs attacked and killed animals belonging to his neighbor.

As for Mr. Bertine, who stated he “rehabilitated both dogs and they were adopted by Wechsler,” he obviously didn’t do a very good job “rehabilitating” the dogs and he sure did not place them with a responsible dog owner.

White Lake, NY

The loss of something rare

To the editor:

This letter is written for the idiot that shot and killed the white deer near the 10 Mile River in Tusten last week.

I want to clarify something. An albino deer is rare, but this little deer was not an albino. He was what is known as a “piebald” deer, which is far more rare than an albino.

We know this because we met this marvelous little creature last winter when we were driving down Brook Road, which was his home. We were shocked, amazed, and delighted when we saw him. We came right home and researched him because he did not look like a typical deer setting aside his unusual white and tan markings. He also had an unusual shaped head, and appeared to have a gate not similar to a normal deer. Our research had shown that a piebald or calico deer is not only rare, but somewhat of a special deer by way of some birth deficiencies these deer possess. They are usually hard of hearing, and do not have a good sense of smell. Their hoofs are not shaped the same as their more normal counter parts. Their legs are also shorter, which makes it more difficult for them to run as fast as a typical deer. For all their “deer shortcomings,” it appears that they are readily accepted by their deer counterparts. They are also usually short lived, as their white and tan colorings make them more visible to natural predators. Despite all of these challenges to its life, this deer has survived for quite some time at peace in his surroundings.

Too bad the insensitive moron with a brand new gun just couldn’t wait to end its life. The big man with the gun shot a “special needs” animal.

We are heartbroken that we will never again encounter this mystical creature.

Task force excels at public hearing

To the editor:

I am writing to commend the members of the Multi-Municipal Task Force, whose testimony opened the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) public hearing on their draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) on October 28. They did a terrific job.

Each person presented the facts and figures regarding their town’s roads, and the point was driven home to the DEC that their SGEIS needs to be revised to strengthen regulations governing notification and participation of towns in the gas well permitting process. The importance of road-use agreements was stressed, based on the fact that we taxpayers cannot possibly afford to repair the damages to our roads that will inevitably result if the DEC issues gas well permits in our area with the inadequate regulations they are now proposing.

Tusten’s town supervisor, Ben Johnson, did a great job explaining the activities of the task force. Luiz Aragon, the new director of Sullivan County planning, did an excellent job, supporting the efforts of the task force, and speaking out for protecting residents from financial as well as health and safety threats.

The New York State DEC has written an 800-page document that essentially protects the gas company’s bottom line at the expense of our safety, health and financial well being. It is critical that each one of us comment to the DEC on the serious flaws in the SGEIS. Regardless of your position on gas drilling, I’m sure none of you want to pick up the tab for damages caused by multibillion dollar gas companies.

Address your response to: Draft SGEIS Comments, Bureau of Oil and Gas Regulation, NYS DEC - Division of Mineral Resources, 625 Broadway, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12233-6500. Another option is to google Catskill Mountainkeeper. Their website provides a link to comment online.