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To the editor: As an elected official, I often hear cynical comments from people to the extent that ordinary people can no longer effect positive change in their lives or in their communities. These comments usually come from people who don’t vote, serve on volunteer boards or join community groups and who waste their time complaining about things rather than trying to make things better. I would like to point to the recent effort by a group of concerned citizens from across western Sullivan County who worked to keep the Grover Hermann Division of Community General Hospital open. It is a shining example that belies such negativity. These folks, who care so much for the future quality of life all across western Sullivan County, came together and decided to get something done rather than simply complain. They didn’t ask for a government-sponsored program or initiative, although it was and continues to be my pleasure to work with and support their efforts. Their efforts paid off recently with the decision by the CGH board to keep the facility open for at least another year while long-term solutions are investigated and implemented. This is truly a win-win situation for everyone who lives in the western part of the county and for the CGH board who exhibited sound judgement and wisdom. People working together with no other interest than the common good can make a difference. The people that have and continue to work so hard to keep the Grover Hermann Division of CGH open have proved that once again for all to see. All I can say to all of them is "Job Well Done!"’ Chris Cunningham Sullivan County Legislature, District 1 To the editor: To those of you who knew Bert Feldman, a one-of-a-kind original, my warm congratulations on your great good fortune. To those who did not, my condolences. * * * Louis Capelli’s organization, part of the partnership that just bought Grossinger’s, is no stranger to this area. Many have wondered how his organization managed to build its local factory, Future Home Technology, Inc., without employing union labor. Others have speculated as to how his organizatio, n which recently sold much of its Westchester real estate holdings for many hundreds of millions managed to get its debt to Port Jervis forgiven. They, like Mr. Gerry and others, I believe, stand to make billions on their casinos with taxpayers picking up after them at great expense. Lee Karr Forestburgh To the editor: We would like to say thank you and good luck to Bob Luben. Kevin & Becky Ledwith Woodside, NY To the editor: What follows is a letter I shall send to my grandson, Ryan, if President Clinton is acquitted and permitted to remain in office. Dearest Ryan, This month marks your sixth birthday. Happy Birthday! You are one very bright little boy, and we are blest with your presence. By the time you are eighteen, you will be thinking about a career. Your Grandmother, who loves you dearly, advises you to think of Engineering. If you choose Engineering, you will be relating to objects; you will have control over the material in your work-place environment. The world of computers is an interesting world too. Perhaps you will be able to structure new programs or invent new computer chips. This new field of endeavor is burgeoning with golden opportunities for energetic, smart young people. The areas of endeavor I should wish you to avoid are Politics and Law. We are no longer a nation based on adherence to law. The President of the United States is permitted to remain in office, by Senate vote, even though he lied before a Grand Jury and obstructed justice. This president is the chief law enforcement officer of the land, the person who appoints the Attorney General, the person who nominates every Federal judge, the person who nominates the Supreme Court, the person with a constitutional obligation to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Our country has been dealt a mortal blow by the action of the United States Senate. Our legal foundation has been compromised. We are on a slippery slope toward rule — not by law — but by raw political power. You, my dearest Ryan should want no part of that game! Think successful career: think Engineering; think Computers; think anything but Politics and Law! Your loving Grandmother, Virginia M. Sullivan Hawley To the editor: Clinton Impeachment The most revolting aspect of the Monica Lewinsky affair is the blatant hypocrisy displayed by the Republican Party. I am not a big fan of Bill Clinton’s policies; in fact, I voted for Ralph Nader in the last election. Nevertheless, I now feel that in this affair, Clinton is truly the victim of a "high-tech lynching". I borrow the phrase that the supporters of Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas used to defend him from Anita Hill’s charges of sexual harassment. It is noteworthy that some of Thomas Republican defenders are now among Clinton’s loudest critics. When I compare Bill Clinton’s offenses with those committed during the Iran-Contra Affair by President Ronald Reagan, and Vice President George Bush, it is obvious that Reagan and Bush got away with far greater offenses than Clinton is accused of. From missile sales to Iran, to crack cocaine smuggled into Los Angeles, to the arming of the Contras, Iran-Contra was an evil, murderous affair. There was plenty of culpability to go around, and plenty of evidence to prove it. Journalist Seymour Hersh, in an article published in The New York Times Magazine on April 29, 1990, concluded that because of Republican pressure to set a time limit on the Iran-Contra investigation, and because of timidity and ineptness on the part of the Democrats, the Congressional investigation was handicapped from the beginning. Key witnesses were not called for public testimony, and the inquiry avoided any evidence that would have compelled President Reagan’s impeachment. As a result, the Congressional investigation into Iran-Contra was bungled, and its conclusion, in the face of significant evidence, was inconclusive. Journalist Elizabeth Drew now reports that there was an unpublicized agreement reached between Senate Iran-Contra Chairman Daniel Inouye (Democrat of Hawaii), and vice chairman Warren Rudman (Republican of New Hampshire), that President Reagan should not be impeached. They felt that the United States could not stand another failed Presidency; this concern for the Country seems to have vaporized in President Clinton’s case. In giving Reagan and Bush a " pass" for the Iran-Contra Affair, great and lasting harm was done to our system of justice, and to our democracy. That failed investigation reveals how uneven the American scales of justice can be. While poor and weak offenders are jailed for life under Republican sponsored "three strikes and you’re out" laws, the rich and powerful go Scot-free for far greater offenses. Impeaching Bill Clinton for his sexual escapades only highlights the hypocrisy of the Republicans. Carl Mills Waymart, Pa.