letters to the editor

We were very saddened to see the headline “Callicoon adopts frack-friendly comp plan” in your last issue and to read about the unscrupulous manner in which it seems to have occurred. We are New Yorkers who have been weekenders a few miles below Callicoon for close to 30 years. We recently closed a successful business in Midtown Manhattan and finally fulfilled our dream of becoming full time PA residents with the intention of starting a new venture in the beautiful Delaware River Valley that we love.  Read more

[Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and State Representative John Bonacic.}

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has issued notification of Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 2700. NYSERDA is proposing to give $7.8 million to chosen retailers who successfully increase sales of Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) beyond a base-line level.  Read more

In regards to passage of the local law known as the Sullivan County Ethics Law, the message is clear. We are committed to ensuring public trust in government by the people we serve. However, make no mistake, by passage of this Ethics Law, we are not attempting to discourage anyone from serving on county boards for the betterment of the residents of Sullivan County.  Read more

By GEORGE FLUHR SR.

[At the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) annual awards banquet on Sunday, April 28, keynote speaker George Fluhr Sr. put the 25-year history of the UDC in the context of the history of the river valley. This is an abbreviated version of his talk.]  Read more

I’m sorry, you didn’t get the memo?

We, the loyal listenership of publicly and underwriter-funded WJFF are speaking loud and clear that our community radio voice is in serious trouble, with a long list of allegations of serious fiscal and personnel mismanagement.  Read more

As reported in the April 5, 2013 Sullivan County Democrat, the county legislature met recently with local politicians, business people and members of the public to review the results of the legislature’s economic survey. Among the top priorities were maintaining tourism and continuing to market and enhance the sustainability of our communities through arts, culture and recreation. These conclusions should come as no surprise.  Read more

Did you know that Pennsylvania has 20,025 deaths annually due to cigarette-related health problems and that this costs the state $9.4 billion in health care and lost productivity? On the other hand, PA receives $1.4 billion in tobacco revenue, but only spends 11% on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.  Read more

[In the face of a 20% cut to Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension approved by the county legislature] Cornell’s board president, Joan Howard, sent Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson a letter asking to have the money restored.  Read more

Two months ago, Sullivan County Planning reminded the Town of Callicoon that “the purpose of a comprehensive plan is to set forth the desires of a community’s residents.” It recommend that the town edit those parts of its draft plan that seem “favorable to gas drilling” because there was no evidence that it was supported by the public. In fact, hundreds of residents have told the town they object to that language, while only a handful of people have indicated that they support it.  Read more

Given the fact that Tom Shepstone is a paid spokesperson for the gas industry, it’s not surprising that he suggested that the Town of Delaware rewrite its zoning ordinances in such a way that it happens to make it easier for gas companies to build noisy, polluting, dangerous compressor stations in the town. What is surprising is that the town is paying him (by keeping him on the payroll as town planner) to advance the interests of his corporate masters.  Read more

I am grateful to Cindy Gieger for pursuing the issue of homeless New York State parolees being released to Sullivan County when they are from other parts of the state. I have been employed in human services in the county. Here are some of the services that would be probably be required for each of these parolees: intensive case management, a psychiatrist, mental health and (possibly) substance abuse counselors, housing, a primary care physician, and other health care specialists as needed, Department of Social Services, and Workforce Development, Medicaid transportation to appointments.  Read more

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the recent rally in Washington, DC protesting the construction of the XL Pipeline, but my heart was with the over 40,000 who attended. We are truly at a crossroads when it comes to climate change. The message to President Obama and the State Department was “reject the XL Pipeline project” and not encourage production of dirty energy. Instead, let’s focus on producing clean energy sources to save the planet.  Read more

For months now, Sullivan County Legislators Cora Edwards, Cindy Gieger, Kitty Vetter, Gene Benson, and Alan Sorensen have been criticized and vilified by some for trying to do what they were elected to do, namely fix county government and its related financial problems.  Read more

The claim that fracking is safe should be backed up with protection for the community. A simple solution would be to have money set aside in a fund that would be drawn on in case someone’s property is damaged. This is similar to the practice of getting security for a house rental or having auto insurance to pay an accident victim.  Read more

It never ceases to amaze me the hoops that Pennsylvania Republicans will go through in order to thwart the Democrats, or any other party for that matter, from winning an election. It truly boggles the mind.  Read more

I am writing to encourage the citizens of the Town of Tusten to come out to the public hearing regarding a resolution put before the Tusten Town Board to oppose the enactment of any legislation that would infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Several towns in our area have already passed a similar resolution and sent it to Governor Cuomo and the New York State government without conducting a public hearing. Our wise council, however, decided to grant us a hearing.  Read more

Some noted person once said, “All politics is local,” an aphorism exemplified by a story about a political and stunning socialite’s ensnared pooch. On February 8, under the headline, “Illegal trap ensnares pooch by lake,” The Sullivan County Democrat published an in-depth article about Michelle Resnick’s missing and trapped dog. Two Sullivan County police officers were involved in bringing about the dog’s [Chloe] rescue, and a joyous reunion for the Resnick family with their very injured dog.  Read more

As was reported in your publication recently, the Cochecton town board saw fit to hastily pass a copycat resolution opposing new gun legislation passed by the New York State Assembly and Senate. I find it interesting that many local legislative bodies are using the very tactic that the state is being criticized for—rushing legislation through before the public has time to react.

Larry H. Richardson
Town of Cochecton, NY

It is with regret that I read Marcia Nehemiah’s final column in the February 14th issue of The River Reporter, as I found many of her eco-minded ideas and suggestions interesting and sometimes unorthodox. Although I was able to incorporate only a few of them into my daily routine, I believe even small changes can be significant to make a difference.

I also want to add that I read Marcia’s book, “Crone Age,” and gifted it to a number of my relatives. Her writing has encouraged me to finally find my own voice by starting a blog for our bakery.

Good luck and best wishes, Marcia.  Read more

[Editor’s note: This letter to the Lackawaxen Township, PA supervisors was offered to The River Reporter as a letter to the editor by the owners of Vanderbeek Farm. It concerns their request to open a dog sled and snowmobiling business on part of their property. We are happy to print the letter.]

To: Lackawaxen Township Supervisors  Read more

Since Congress is to blame for the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) fiscal problems, Congress can fix it without too much difficulty. There is no taxpayer money involved. As we know, Congress in 2006 passed a law requiring the USPS to pre-fund 75 years of retiree benefits in a 10-year time span. It means that the postal service must set aside $5.5 billion each year. No other private or public institution labors under this burden. Absent this burden, the post office can run a profit even with competition from the Internet.  Read more

I wonder what Roy would say
If he could hear this song
Something sweet sardonic
Something true and strong.

If courage was a tapestry
Then Roy would truly be
A cloth of golden lightning weaves
Tall radiant and free.

Tonight I hear a guitar
Screaming through the trees
He rides the riff of courage
His rhythm in the breeze.

As he rides upon the guitar
Clutching Woodstock’s hand
He will turn to look upon us
From Roy’s rock ‘n roll band.

Woodstock was a friend of mine
And I know he loved it so
I cry as they both ride away
A distant hollowed glow.  Read more

1791: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Second Amendment, the U.S. Constitution.  Read more

Sullivan County is moving toward new goals of fiscal accountability and oversight of our tax dollars based on the people’s 2011 mandate for change. I, along with several of my colleagues, have been researching, questioning and overcoming hurdles of the “status quo” to move our county forward.  Read more