WHERE ARE THE COPAKE REPUBLICANS?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR WHERE ARE THE COPAKE REPUBLICANS? Two weeks ago, the Copake Democratic candidates for reelection to Town Council and for assessor released the 2009 platform stating their position on key issues in this year’s election. In summary, it states, 1. We support the creation of a balanced and sensible line-item budget. 2. Your Democratic team supports and is currently promoting a town-wide referendum on the Copake Green project. This 122 acres of prime agricultural land must be protected. We encourage the Town Board of Copake to express strong opposition to this project. The future of the hamlet is at stake. 3. We support the long-term development of Copake to be both environmentally protected and economically viable. 4. We are totally committed to open government and the strict adherence to Open Meeting Law. 5. We support the development of intelligent alternative energies in the Town of Copake including solar, wind and hydropower. 6. We support the long neglected pursuit of fair and equitable property assessments for all. 7. We believe town government should enthusiastically encourage the efforts of local citizen groups and business people to revitalize the economy of our community. 8. We strongly support our agricultural heritage, recognizing that farmland preservation is the key to protecting our open spaces. 9. We Recognize the contributions that our seniors make to the community, we support initiatives which will assist our seniors in remaining within and contributing to our community. 10. We will continue the on-going fight to protect our environment and to develop a plan for the conservation of our agricultural land and our precious water resources. 11. We are committed to running our campaign based upon issues, the truth and positive change, not personal attacks. Clearly, the Democratic candidates intend to run a campaign based upon issues and not innuendo and lies. Where are the Republican candidates? They have made no public statement about where they stand on key issues. Are they planning last minute surprises, and perhaps lies, as they did at the last minute in the 2007 campaign about 27% tax increases, leaving no time to rebut or tell the truth? It would be typical of the campaigns run by the Republicans in Copake over the years. On Tuesday, the Republican Supervisor submitted a tentative budget to the Town Board calling for a 56% increase in Town taxes. If we were Republicans and the Democrats were in the majority, we would scream that increase from the roof tops. We don't do that We know that the Board will likely reduce the budget to reduce that tax increase. The Board Democrats will push for that. Morris Ordover

An Idea about the Copake Police Force

While I agree there really is not a need for a police force in Copake you seem to be hitting a stone wall. My suggestion would be to house the police in the west copake firehouse,which we own as citizens, eliminating the rent being paid now. It is not economically feasible not to utilize this space which is closer to the actual center of Copake. They can find somewhere else to store whatever is there. This is a fairly new building so not much needed to update if anything at all.Just a suggestion if you continue to be stonewalled. Ann