Defining Moment in Copake

I was very moved by the article by Linda Gabaccia.  As a friend of Bob Sacks I frequently read the Copake Chronicle and enjoy the portrayal of life in a small New York community.

It is obvious that although Copake is a small community it is not spared the trials and tribulations of the larger society. Suicide is unfortunately a last resort solution to people who are in deep despair, feeling hopeless and helpless. Just this morning there was an article in Newsday about a 17 year old girl who was popular, outgoing and a successful athlete, who ended her life. She gave little to show that she was on this pathway.

People are asking , what did we miss? Sometimes it is impossible to answer this question. There are however many people who do show signs of depression, fear and despair. Without being too intrusive we must be proactive in providing awareness and treatment programs to try to help those who might need an intervention. Copake showed how a community could learn from a terrible tragedy and come together to show real humanity. People can save people.

Congratulations Copake
Professor Bob Rubin CSW, Nassau Community College.

Dan Tompkins Should Have Done More Research

Dan Tompkins, an elected councilman, should have done more research about his "peers" before he made ignorant remarks about separation of church and state, as well as whether a person with utmost religious convictions or holds an esteemed positon in his church is qualified to be an ombudsman or elected offical in Copake or any other town/city.


While I am not aware of Father Thompson or his qualifications, I would like to mention our Speaker of the New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver, a practicing orthodox Jew, who attended a school which has produced hundreds of rabbis. I cannot think of one instance in which his religious training, background and convictions have anything to do with his voting on past or pending legislation.

Stephen Kriss

The Original Bash Bish Inn burned and then was rebuilt in a different location

Bob,
• I believe the first bridge in Copake Falls crosses Bash Bish is where the current bridge going to the Bash Bish rental cottages is located

• The tennis courts for the former Bash Bish Inn was on the left side of Rt 344, opposite the entrance to the lower parking area for Bash Bish Falls.

• I think there were two locations for the Bash Bish Inn. The original inn burned and then was rebuilt in a different location.

Thanks,
Jane Peck

The Present System of Milk Pricing Devalues Fluid Milk

Commissioner Hooker is right in saying the present system of milk pricing devalues fluid milk by tying it to the price of manufactured milk. Milk price is set by the Federal Order Program. Fluid milk is Class I, Class II is manufacturing milk,used for ice cream cheese and the like.The per cent used of each sets the order price for the defined order area. Columbia County enjoyed a much better price for milk when there was a Connecticut Milk Order. First most of the milk was used as fluid milk and a small amount of class II was needed to balance supply to ensure there was enough to meet fluid needs. While I am no longer sure of the date, in the later 50’s and early 60’s the Connecticut market was merged making a much larger order area. That dropped the percent of milk used for fluid or classes I and lowered the order price received by Columbia County farmers.


At the same time the price used for class II was not fair to local farmers. Class II price is established in the Midwest where cheese is produced. The farms there are close to the manufacturing plant giving a low cost of transportation that is paid by the farmer. At times a manufacturing plant may even subsidize the cost in order to attract enough milk. Mr. Ooms sends his class II milks a long distance, perhaps as far as Boston. He must pay the extra transportation cost for his class II milk needed to balance the market.

In Boston his class II might be used to make ice cream. I believe the difference in transportation cost between the Midwest and eastern farmer for class II could approach as much as 90 cents per hundred. I would point out the cost of processing milk is about 90 cents per hundred. If Mr. Ooms sends his milk to Boston it will cost about a dollar per hundred. Mr. Ooms obviously receives less for his class II milk than the Midwest farmer receives for his class II milk.

Grant Langdon,
former Columbia County Farm Bureau President