Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Request From The United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties

Do you know why people contribute to the United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties?
It is because they share the “core values” of the UWCG with their own values:

1.            Helping children and youth succeed
2.            Strengthening and supporting families
3.            Building vital and safe neighborhoods
4.            Supporting health, independence and vital services for seniors

So  people who donate are contributing to their own values.

In 2011 the UWCG funded 37 programs in 35 agencies that met these impact areas .
The UWCG has a fund raising event planned each month in 2011: a Catfish Derby, a Motorcycle Run,
and “Hands Connecting Lives” connecting Greene County to Columbia County with 1000+ people across the bridge!

To volunteer or participate call Brad Poster, Director at 943-1813.

Brad Poster, Executive Director
United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties
P.O. Box 52
Hudson, NY 12034
518-828-4200 Office

The Safety of our Children on our Roads

Bob;
A quick note of thanks for the Copake Chronicle. It is an extraordinary publication that I look forward to each week. The news, the humor and the insights that go into the political process of our town is wonderfully put together. Where do you find the time? 

I strongly agree with your editorial of last week. The citizens group lead by Ms. Dipiri have legitimate questions about the safety of our children on our roads and especially on the bridge. I agree that just because they might have a shoulder doesn’t mean that they are safe for the community to use. What will the speed limit be? We still don’t know about the signs and the markings on the road itself.  Without the Chronicle I would know nothing about this project?   Thanks again and please continue to fight for our safety.

Janet Hanson  

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Inaccurate and False Accusations

Well Bob, once again I am forced to respond to your inaccurate and false accusations. In your May 12th issue of the Chronicle you wrote that the new Brown's dam bridge did not have accommodations for bikers or pedestrians. When I pointed out to you that the plans for the project had been in the Clerk's office for almost a year you started your play on words. Yes, I did tell everyone that the "study" was there for everyone's inspection. Let me ask you this, when an engineering firm does a study, don't you think they would at least need something to study, such as construction plans? Several other people, including Planning Board and ZBA members, understood this and came in to look at the plans (study). Last year you were the one who brought up the issue of the effects of the construction on the integrity of the dam. Did you bother to look at the plans (study) to answer your questions then? NO. Had you taken the time you would have seen the the incorporation of the wider shoulders to accommodate bikers & pedestrians.
    I'm by no means a trained journalist but I do remember my junior high school english classes where I was taught that before you write something you need to verify all your information. When you heard rumors that there was no accommodations for bikers or pedestrians did you verify the information? NO.Did you look at the plans(study)? NO. Did you contact me to ask about it? NO. Did you contact anyone at County DOT? NO. Did you contact anyone at Clough Harbor? NO. You simply wrote your article based on false and unverified information.
    Now let's tell the rest of the story. You attended the May 11th Board of Supervisors meeting in Hudson. At that time I shared with you a copy of a letter that I had just received that the Chairman had sent to our EAB chairman. You read the entire letter. In that letter Chairman Brown pointed out the accommodations made for bikers and pedestrians. Yet when you published your article the next day you made no mention of this information that was shared with you. Why? You did not even, at the very least, include a post script to your article that you had received additional information the evening before.
    On May 14th you sent, via email, a copy of your article to Chairman Brown with the comment to him that it was published before his letter came to your attention.
 That Bob was an absolute lie. You had knowledge of the Chairman's letter prior to the start of the May 11th BOS meeting yet your article was published the next day, May 12th. If and when you ever become Supervisor, is that how you plan to conduct yourself, lying to the Chairman?
    You are correct when you say there was a lack of communication in this matter. It happened when you published another article that was based on rumors, misleading, inaccurate and unverified information. You have once again done a great disservice to your readers.

Reggie Crowley
Supervisor