No pheasant at first Thanksgiving

Regarding your article “Talking turkey” in the November 23-29 edition: Whatever was on the menu at the first Thanksgiving, it didn’t include pheasant. Although common today, the ring-necked pheasant is native to Asia, not North America. Only in the early 1880s—more than a quarter-millennium after the Pilgrims’ dinner—did the ring-necked pheasant begin to establish a breeding population in the U.S., courtesy of an Oregon couple who shipped over several dozen pairs from China. Perhaps the Pilgrims ate grouse.

Rebekah Creshkoff

Callicoon, NY

Overstating the cost of a constable

Charles Petersheim’s letter to the editor (dated 11/21/17) quotes $100,000 as the yearly cost to Tusten taxpayers for a proposed part time constable. That figure is absurd.

I attended the recent Tusten Town Board meeting, and the proposal under consideration, as I understood it, was described by council member Tony Ritter as one part-time constable serving the town for an approximately 14-week season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), working 20 hours per week.

How does Mr. Petersheim come up with a cost to the taxpayers of $100,000?

I know there are liability issues and other insurance costs to consider, but putting those costs aside for the moment , does the part time constable earn $357 per hour in Mr. Petersheim’s universe?

Where is Mr. Petersheim’s information coming from?

James Barth

Beach Lake, PA

An encounter with Hinchey

When I moved here 12 years ago, I went to a public hearing where we could comment on the proposed plan to install giant power-line towers along the Delaware, ruining this beautiful area just so the private company behind it wouldn’t have to pay extra to bury the power lines out of sight.

I was waiting for my turn to speak when [former U.S. Congressman Maurice] Hinchey arrived in a rich camelhair-colored overcoat, and was immediately given the opportunity to be the next speaker.

“Who the hell is this guy?” I mumbled. Just another politician who thinks he’s better than everyone else.

But I changed my mind as soon as he started to speak. He let the power line company (and its CEO, who was in the audience) have it with both barrels. He didn’t waiver or equivocate, but came straight out and said what a lousy idea this was, and that he would do everything possible to stop them.

We’ll miss him.

Glen Goldstein

Narrowsburg, NY

[If you have stories or impressions of Maurice Hinchey that you would like to share, visit “Opinion” at www.riverreporter.com and use the comments section for this letter, or email them to copyeditor@riverreporter.com.]