NOT MY IDEA OF DEMOCRACY
My name is Adolf Meier. Everyone calls me “Red.” I am an 86-year-old, life-long registered Republican, and I have the misfortune of living in the Town of Taghkanic, Columbia County, NY. I am legally blind, and my daughter is helping me write this letter on her computer.
When I was 18 World War II was underway, and I volunteered to defend America’s freedoms by joining the United States Marine Corps. You’ve probably heard of the Battle of Iwo Jima? I was in the first Marine landing that day (February 19, 1945), and if you know anything about Iwo Jima you know that I am one of the lucky ones to make it out alive. As a result of that experience, however, after being honorably discharged at the end of the war, I slowly began to lose my eyesight. I am now legally blind—a designation that can only be determined by my doctor and the federal government. So, I now vote by absentee ballot.
During the opening of absentee ballots for the November 3 election for the Town of Taghkanic, my ballot was at first challenged by the Republicans on the grounds that I hadn’t provided “proof” of my blindness. Eventually, the Republican attorneys “allowed” my ballot to be opened and counted. It’s bad enough that there was even discussion about my right to vote absentee, but then a Republican attorney found it necessary to make a derogatory comment about my given name of Adolf.
I hope you are as disgusted about all of this as I am. I am revolted by the current strong-arm tactics of the Republican Party, who are trying to take away the constitutional right of people in the Town of Taghkanic to vote where we choose as long as we have an established residence here in Taghkanic. I’d like to know who is paying for all the lawyers and “private investigators” hired to violate voters’ privacy and rights. If this lawsuit is based on such a principle fact of election law, then why are these Republicans targeting only certain Taghkanic voters?
I am a proud Marine who defended this country against fascism during World War II. I never expected to live out my life in a town/county/state that at best should be called an oligarchy and at worst a fascist state. This is not my idea of Democracy. Please join me in speaking out against this clear violation of the basic American right to vote.
Adolf “Red” Meier
Taghkanic, NY
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Does Our Local Republican Party Understand What is Going On
Bob: I have been a Republican all my life. You can add to my file that I was a weekender in Copake for 25 years until I retired full time. I wanted to send this letter to you so that you can print my outrage at Mr. Fingar and the Republican Committee. If our local Republican party does not understand what is going on here or more importantly doesn’t express their own outrage, I feel comfortable that they will never get reelected in Copake again….Not Ever.
As a vet I am disgusted at what is happening here in our county. You should win elections on the issues and not by stealing someone's right to vote.
J. Miller
As a vet I am disgusted at what is happening here in our county. You should win elections on the issues and not by stealing someone's right to vote.
J. Miller
The American Revolution
The American Revolution was fought, in part, for the principle of No Taxation Without Representation..
That principle privies an effective answer to those who would deprive second home owners of their right to choose to participate in the election of their representatives in Columbia County.
Lou Levitt
That principle privies an effective answer to those who would deprive second home owners of their right to choose to participate in the election of their representatives in Columbia County.
Lou Levitt
WHATS GOING ON IN COPAKE
HI BOB
THANKS FOR GIVING ME A HEADS UP ON WHATS GOING ON IN COPAKE . IT’S GETTING EXCITING THAT WE HAVE A CONCERNED GROUP (Around the Clock Committee) THAT ARE WILLING TO STEP UP AND GET PROGRESS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THERE IS A GOOD TEAM IN PLACE TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
PLEASE KEEP THE CC COMING.
BEST REGARDS,
MARTY SHAPIRO
P.S. I BELEIVE 2ND HOME OWNERS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR VOTE COUNTED.
THANKS FOR GIVING ME A HEADS UP ON WHATS GOING ON IN COPAKE . IT’S GETTING EXCITING THAT WE HAVE A CONCERNED GROUP (Around the Clock Committee) THAT ARE WILLING TO STEP UP AND GET PROGRESS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THERE IS A GOOD TEAM IN PLACE TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
PLEASE KEEP THE CC COMING.
BEST REGARDS,
MARTY SHAPIRO
P.S. I BELEIVE 2ND HOME OWNERS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR VOTE COUNTED.
Thanks for the Plowmen
I just wanted to take time to express my gratitude and thanks for the plowmen and road crews who go out when the rest of us are advised to stay indoors, in order to make the roads safe and easily accessible for all of us.
Thank you so much. You are appreciated.
Terrie Ann Schmearer
Copake, NY
Thank you so much. You are appreciated.
Terrie Ann Schmearer
Copake, NY
THE GRINCH WHO STOLE COPAKE (THE HEART OF COPAKE THAT IS)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
THE GRINCH WHO STOLE COPAKE (THE HEART OF COPAKE THAT IS)
Earlier this yea, the Copake Town Board enacted Local law 1 of 2009 by a bipartisan vote. The law created a full time court clerk position to work for both Town Justices, and provided for a part time clerk to cover when the full timer was absent.
The full time position was filled by Margaret Hosier, a Copake resident. Margaret is fully qualified and there have been no complaints about her work. She is the only full time, non elected female on the Town payroll and coincidentally, the only non elected Democrat on the Town payroll. This appointment was intended to, and should have, reduced the hours of the then part time clerk. Her hours were never reduced and only one of the judges used Margaret’s time. She compensated by doing the court’s administrative work.
Now, in what appears to be a purely political move, the Republican controlled Town Board plans to reverse itself and eliminate the full time position. There has never been a complaint about her work and she has in fact been commended by members of the police for her attention to their matters.
The Grinch, in the person of Reggie Crowley, Town Supervisor, is blatantly disregarding the fact that he will add another person to the unemployed, and take away a person’s health insurance at a time when it is almost impossible to replace both.
Reggie, what is the real purpose? To fire the only full time female employee who is also a Democrat?
You will now need three part timers to do the job since Judge Spencer's clerk only is available for 8 months of the year. You will need another part timer to replace her. Judge Herman will also need a part timer if your plan goes through. What a nightmare for them, coordinating the work of three part timers, training them, covering when they are unavailable. Who will do the administrative work of the Court now performed by Margaret?
Think this through and do the right thing. Keep the full time position and save the Town the cost of defending a potential sex discrimination law suit. Don’t continue to be the Copake Grinch and continue to make our population unhappy with decisions such as this and the legalization of junk yards at the entrance to town.
Morris Ordover
Copake NY
THE GRINCH WHO STOLE COPAKE (THE HEART OF COPAKE THAT IS)
Earlier this yea, the Copake Town Board enacted Local law 1 of 2009 by a bipartisan vote. The law created a full time court clerk position to work for both Town Justices, and provided for a part time clerk to cover when the full timer was absent.
The full time position was filled by Margaret Hosier, a Copake resident. Margaret is fully qualified and there have been no complaints about her work. She is the only full time, non elected female on the Town payroll and coincidentally, the only non elected Democrat on the Town payroll. This appointment was intended to, and should have, reduced the hours of the then part time clerk. Her hours were never reduced and only one of the judges used Margaret’s time. She compensated by doing the court’s administrative work.
Now, in what appears to be a purely political move, the Republican controlled Town Board plans to reverse itself and eliminate the full time position. There has never been a complaint about her work and she has in fact been commended by members of the police for her attention to their matters.
The Grinch, in the person of Reggie Crowley, Town Supervisor, is blatantly disregarding the fact that he will add another person to the unemployed, and take away a person’s health insurance at a time when it is almost impossible to replace both.
Reggie, what is the real purpose? To fire the only full time female employee who is also a Democrat?
You will now need three part timers to do the job since Judge Spencer's clerk only is available for 8 months of the year. You will need another part timer to replace her. Judge Herman will also need a part timer if your plan goes through. What a nightmare for them, coordinating the work of three part timers, training them, covering when they are unavailable. Who will do the administrative work of the Court now performed by Margaret?
Think this through and do the right thing. Keep the full time position and save the Town the cost of defending a potential sex discrimination law suit. Don’t continue to be the Copake Grinch and continue to make our population unhappy with decisions such as this and the legalization of junk yards at the entrance to town.
Morris Ordover
Copake NY
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