Respect the no-dog policy at Majestic Park
As a resident of the Town of Gardiner, I want to share my sentiment on the dog policy that is currently in effect at Majestic Park. Many people of all ages use the park for various recreational activities. It is clearly stated on the fence near the entrance to the park that dogs are prohibited, they are not allowed in the park -- not on a leash or off a lease -- they are not allowed. This past summer I was employed at the park as a camp counselor and I was surprised that parents didn’t heed this rule. Some parents would come to drop off or pick up their children with a dog in tow, and some of them were not on leashes. Not all people enjoy dogs, nor do all children; some are frightened of them and some have had bad experiences with them. I was surprised that parents wouldn’t consider that other campers may not share their love of dogs, but what surprised me more was the lackadaisical enforcement of the rule. I would like to see that the people using the park respect the rules that are in place for the park, so that it may be enjoyed by all two-legged creatures.
Brian Majestic
Gardiner
The Gardiner Town Board has to go
The year 2010 came and went, and the more things change, the more they stay the same -- lower property values, excessive spending and, of course, higher taxes.
The Gardiner Town Board seems to have a problem making money, but no problem spending money. A fine example is the more than six years of the cell tower fiasco resulting in a loss of $6,000-$10,000 a month or more. They are still squabbling over the height of the cell tower. Any electronic genius, rocket scientist or a fifth grader knows that the higher the antenna the better the reception, transmission and service will be acquired. But, bowing to the pressure of a political group in Gardiner, they agreed to put up two smaller towers, which might have one or two cell companies on it and will never do the job of a high tower. The higher the tower the more cell companies could be put on it and the more income the town will get. This will never happen with the Gardiner Town Board, which bows to political pressure. It is utterly ridiculous that one tall camouflaged tower will block the whole view of the Shawangunk Mountains.
Another example is giving anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 of tax money to farmers who choose to be farmers so that they remain in farming. What about the struggling taxpayers of Gardiner? What are they getting to help them survive? They are getting lower property values and higher taxes. How can the younger generation of this area afford to stay in Gardiner when the town is being run in a horse-and-buggy era and trying to survive in the 21st century. What is there in Gardiner that they can make a living at? Not much of anything, only a higher cost of living.
By the time you read this you will already have your tax bill, which will be no surprise -- higher and higher every year. Once again I say to the people of Gardiner, this Town Board has to go in 2012. Let’s face it. This town is run by political groups who seem to get what they want when they want it. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Henry Tortora
Gardiner
Take back our village
Fire Chief Dave Weeks resigns? Thanks to the Village Idiots, once again, there is a crisis in our New Paltz Volunteer Fire Department.
Idiot #1, Terry Dungan, sends e-mails along with Idiot #2, trustee Shari Osborn, in response to sane and substantive suggestions from trustee Robert Feldman regarding support for and needed improvements to our heroic fire fighting department.
Of course all Dungan and Osborn could do is insult and betray these needed VOLUNTEERS! So, the chief for seven years, Dave Weeks, has the final straw and his back breaks. Chief Weeks was done. His administration has been betrayed by the Village Idiots for the last time.
Village and town residents now have lost one of the finest trained and dedicated firefighters we ever had. Dave Weeks’ leadership was beyond compare and he had the loyalty of every firefighter in the department, but that meant little to the pea-brained trustees. They even found the time to insult the firefighters who wanted to sleep in the firehouse in order to keep New Paltz safe during the night hours when volunteers stopped answering calls due to low morale -- again caused by our inept and insulting village trustees.
How long will village residents continue to allow Dungan’s incompetence and NASTINESS to ruin our community?
He is a liar and a fool. He attacks and destroys our fire department, local businesses and the quality of life here in the Village of New Paltz. Trustees and fellow idiots Jean Gallucci and Osborn are unindicted coconspirators in this mess.
Please, speak out and protest this pathetic attempt at governing before it is too late. Write, e-mail, call or show up to village board meetings and scream it from the rafters. “We are mad as hell and we aren’t gonna take this crap anymore!!!”
Find QUALIFIED, HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY and DEDICATED citizens to run against these Village Idiots and take back your village!
Time is running out. Just ask former Chief Dave Weeks. We lost his leadership, we cant afford to lose any more!
Thank-you Chief Weeks for your years of service, bravery and dedication to the homes and businesses of New Paltz. You are a HERO in my eyes and I, for one, say thank-you to your long-suffering wife and children for their many sacrifices and to you, Chief Weeks, for your service!
Butch Dener
New Paltz
Looking for answers
Reading the article titled, “Broke and broke-down” in the Dec. 23 edition, I think that something important is missing from this story. First of all, it is important to remember that the Fire Department gave the Town of Gardiner this building in the 1970’s after they built their new fire house and no longer had a need for it.
I was at the meeting, and after the Town Board told the audience that they legally couldn’t give the building to the Fire Department, but they could sell the building to the Fire Department for market value, Mike Boylan, chairman of the Gardiner Planning Board, asked the following question (and I paraphrase): “How could the Town Board give the library the old town garage, but they can’t give the Fire Department the old firehouse/library building?” There was no immediate answer to the question; however, Supervisor Katz said that he would look into it. Later in the meeting, Beverly Tantillo reiterated the importance of getting an answer to Mike’s question and I agree that it is an important question. I, like Beverly, Mike and many others, are anxious to hear the answer.
Marybeth Majestic
Gardiner
Eagle Service project
My name is Dylan Beecher and I am a Life scout in Troop 172 in New Paltz. I recently finished my Eagle Scout service project, a new batting cage for the majors field at Clearwater, with the help of many in our community. I would like to thank Chuck Bordino with the Recreation Department, Mike Nielson and the Highway Department, Louie Benson and True Value Hardware, George Ingraham and Adams Fencing, and Pete Rubin and the New Paltz Baseball Association. I would also like to express my appreciation to all the adult leaders, other scouts, friends and family who helped me with my project and my scouting experience since I started 13 years ago.
I would also like to take this opportunity to ask our community’s parents to get their children -- boys and girls -- involved in scouting. The scouting experience builds character, teaches the scout to be a better member of the community and participate in outdoor adventures. For a look at what we do, check out www.troop172.org.
Dylan Beecher
New Paltz
Allow cell phones in school
A pressing issue among students at New Paltz High School is the current policy on cell phone use. Cell phones and new technology play a huge role in the everyday lives of the current generation of teenagers. Cell phones today are used for more than communication. They are a source for research; a mode to acquire endless information from the internet, along with thousands of applications such as calculators or news updates. If cell phones or personal data devices were permitted in school settings, the school could save thousands of dollars on new computers, seeing as how they would be in less demand.
Some believe that cell phones should be banned because they are distracting to class. Most students in high school are preparing for college and their futures. An important skill to learn now rather than later is the ability to balance social technology with school work. If students have enough responsibility to complete research papers or unit projects, it should be up to the student’s discretion whether or not a cell phone is appropriate at the time.
While cell phones are banned, students only find a way to use their cell phones discreetly. This actually becomes more distracting than simply sending a three-second text and then refocusing on the task in class. Students must plan out their procedure, typing one letter at a time whenever the teacher turns their back only to waste more time having the teacher reprimand students too often for cell phone use. It is unrealistic to expect. Students should be allowed the privilege of using their cell phones as they please, keeping in mind they must stay on task in class. Lifting the ban on cell phones will provide benefits in both budgeting and allow more focus on education.
Sarah Freedman
New Paltz High School Senior
A successful dinner
On Dec. 18, the New Paltz Elks Lodge held a dinner for Family of New Paltz. We did a ham dinner with all the fixings. The dinner was donated by members of the New Paltz Elks Lodge. Snacks were provided by Drakes and Friehofers. Toilet paper was donated by Will Scott from Four Scotts Company. The New Paltz Fire Department also brought to the dinner Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause, which brought such big smiles to the children’s faces. Thank You also to everyone who donated the food.
James F Depuy, Exalted Ruler
New Paltz Elks Lodge #2568
What’s wrong with our leaders
What’s wrong with the powers-to-be in this community? It is always the VOLUNTEER firemen, the police or and the rescue squad who are vilified and shortchanged.
WHAT would we do without them? Our firefighters deserve our greatest gratitude for being here and being what they are. Adding more stress to their work is NOT the proper and appropriate response to their commitment and work.
Misha Harnick
New Paltz
Post a Comment