Thanks to Chris for sharing those pictures of the Copake Grange Hall and the old school house I attended, as well as a few others in the community that are still here. At the school there were two separate rooms for the students - one for lower grades and the other room for students up thru the sixth grade. There were two teachers I remember while I was there: Mrs. Edna Moore, wife of Wally Moore our local electrician, and Virgil Thompkins. I believe there were three grades in each room, each student absorbed all the information taught to each grade - not bad, right? Our class had a formal graduation in 1941 at the Roeliff Jansen Central School, placing us in the seventh grade there in the fall. We left there with many happy memories - with great anticipation of being a part of the infamous 'big school - Roe Jan'. However, I am sad to see that our little old country school was not preserved as a memorable part of the past of Copake.
I also attended many meetings at the Grange Hall with my parents who operated Center Hill Farm until 1949 when they retired and moved to Florida. The meetings were all very informative and of great interest to a then mostly farming community, composed of very tight friendships and helpfulness among neighbors. Copake was a very special place to grow up - where neighbors really cared about each other and our town.
Iris Haner Sachs
P.S. Thank you Bob for using my picture of the Copake Theatre, also a warm place in my heart.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Super Job on the Paper.
BOB:
Super job on the paper. I sure hope the people appreciate the job your doing with it.
I was a good friend of Paul and Nancy Miller and there family when I lived in Copake, in fact one of my buddys and I used to cut wood every weekend at the farm. What a shame that was. You sure have your hands full. Thanks for the pictures.
Walt
Super job on the paper. I sure hope the people appreciate the job your doing with it.
I was a good friend of Paul and Nancy Miller and there family when I lived in Copake, in fact one of my buddys and I used to cut wood every weekend at the farm. What a shame that was. You sure have your hands full. Thanks for the pictures.
Walt
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I Believe the Old Holsapple House Deserves a Historical Designation
Bob,
First let me congratulate the Democrats on their effort to bring better government to Copake. I note that there is a around the clock group looking for things to bring life back to the center of Copake.
I researched the history of Copake and the area. I believe the old Holsapple House deserves a historical designation. I believe it is possible it could be opened as a place for fine dining and parties. I note there presently isn’t a bar in Copake. I can remember when Ray Burch tended bar there in a white coat and tie. It was the place in town for Sunday Dinner.
The condition of the building is such that it would take a sizable investment to bring about what I might envision as a successful enterprise. Perhaps some of the funds would need to come from a government grant. First it must be determined if the project is feasible. It would require a study by a competent firm to determine what price range would be appropriate for the area. Room rental could also be a factor. There are firms that have census data that could help.
I note Ben Ackley long championed the hotel becoming a better establishment. Perhaps seed funds could be acquired with the help of some family members and the Rheinstrom funds administered by Ed Harrington. I believe Mr. Rheinstrom would approve of spending funds for this project. Another key factor would be finding a young competent person to run it. Perhaps such a person could be found at the Culinary Institute.
As a promotional event I still believe a Big Thunder Day would help and could be a lot of fun. It is based on the day Sheriff Miller was confronted at what was then Sweet’s Tavern in 1844.
Grant Langdon
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Following An All-Too-Familiar Pattern
Dear Editor:
When I spoke at the December meeting of the Copake Town Board in favor of retaining the position of fulltime Town Court Clerk, Councilman Danny Tompkins noted that doing so would greatly reduce the hours and compensation of the Assistant Clerk, who had served in that position for several years, and so had seniority. In addition to expressing his view that seniority should be one of the factors considered in appointment, Danny Tompkins was reminding me and others that designs for administra-tive structure have an effect on individual lives, in many cases the lives of Copake citizens who have served their town well.
I would like to see that important concern for the people of Copake extended. The Town Court Clerk case is typical of many that the Town Board will face in this new year. Officials have recommended, and the Board originally adopted, a procedure well designed to serve Copake and its citizens. Negative impact on a town employee led to opposition and conflict. Following an all-too-familiar pattern, the Town Board considered the issue in isolation, clarified competing positions, chose sides, and set out to have a vote that would determine winners and losers.
It is time to recognize that being on the winning side of a vote that denies our town the most beneficial procedure and outcome is not a success; it is a failure. Similarly, to be on the winning side of a vote that unjustly harms a citizen of our town is not to succeed, but to fail. Such failures may, on some occasions, be necessary; however, like war on an international level, which is also an ethical failure of relation, they should be an option of last resort. For too long, they have been and they remain an accepted norm.
It is time for the people of Copake to require of their Town Board that they be better served. Faced with good and well intentioned choices in tension with each other, those responsible to determine the best outcome should work together to find win-win solutions. To do that, they may have to consider the issue in a broader context. Can, for instance, a person harmed by a decision that is otherwise beneficial be compensated in a different way?
Whatever the issues under consideration, it is by finding win-win solutions that the Town Board will succeed in serving their town and its citizens. The members of our Town Board will have at least eleven more occasions in 2010 to come together to conduct the town’s business. Each member will, on each occasion, have to decide whether to come with a purpose to win in conflict, or to succeed in concert. Their choice will affect all of us.
Clark M. (Mac) Simms
When I spoke at the December meeting of the Copake Town Board in favor of retaining the position of fulltime Town Court Clerk, Councilman Danny Tompkins noted that doing so would greatly reduce the hours and compensation of the Assistant Clerk, who had served in that position for several years, and so had seniority. In addition to expressing his view that seniority should be one of the factors considered in appointment, Danny Tompkins was reminding me and others that designs for administra-tive structure have an effect on individual lives, in many cases the lives of Copake citizens who have served their town well.
I would like to see that important concern for the people of Copake extended. The Town Court Clerk case is typical of many that the Town Board will face in this new year. Officials have recommended, and the Board originally adopted, a procedure well designed to serve Copake and its citizens. Negative impact on a town employee led to opposition and conflict. Following an all-too-familiar pattern, the Town Board considered the issue in isolation, clarified competing positions, chose sides, and set out to have a vote that would determine winners and losers.
It is time to recognize that being on the winning side of a vote that denies our town the most beneficial procedure and outcome is not a success; it is a failure. Similarly, to be on the winning side of a vote that unjustly harms a citizen of our town is not to succeed, but to fail. Such failures may, on some occasions, be necessary; however, like war on an international level, which is also an ethical failure of relation, they should be an option of last resort. For too long, they have been and they remain an accepted norm.
It is time for the people of Copake to require of their Town Board that they be better served. Faced with good and well intentioned choices in tension with each other, those responsible to determine the best outcome should work together to find win-win solutions. To do that, they may have to consider the issue in a broader context. Can, for instance, a person harmed by a decision that is otherwise beneficial be compensated in a different way?
Whatever the issues under consideration, it is by finding win-win solutions that the Town Board will succeed in serving their town and its citizens. The members of our Town Board will have at least eleven more occasions in 2010 to come together to conduct the town’s business. Each member will, on each occasion, have to decide whether to come with a purpose to win in conflict, or to succeed in concert. Their choice will affect all of us.
Clark M. (Mac) Simms
A Bad Day For The Citizens of Copake
Today was one of the really bad days for citizens of Copake. Our Republican dominated Town Board imposed its will upon the citizens of the Town without regard for their concerns or democracy.
The first order of business was for Supervisor Crowley to state that there would be NO public comment on any of the important year long assignments that were to be made. As a result, along with necessary decisions, the Republican majority broke an agreement made with the two Democrats on the Board regarding appointment of the Town Attorney, and without notice to them, selected a different attorney, basically unknown to the Democrats because one of the Republicans felt that I spoke with them for twenty minutes and believed that they are qualified to do the job.
That was just the beginning. After appointing Barbara Filipovits as Chief assessor, they disregarded her opinion regarding an interim assessor appointment and instead appointed a political hack and admitted thief to the position because he had "prior experience". That experience consisted of one course in the past not related to day to day assessing and a firm commitment not to run for the office later in the year. Thus, the revolving door of three republican assessors in one year continues.
Today's meeting was a sham and a shame. We have nothing to look forward to but mean spirited politics at its worst.
Citizens of Copake can and will remember these attitudes and decisions when elections come around over the next few years.
Morris Ordover
The first order of business was for Supervisor Crowley to state that there would be NO public comment on any of the important year long assignments that were to be made. As a result, along with necessary decisions, the Republican majority broke an agreement made with the two Democrats on the Board regarding appointment of the Town Attorney, and without notice to them, selected a different attorney, basically unknown to the Democrats because one of the Republicans felt that I spoke with them for twenty minutes and believed that they are qualified to do the job.
That was just the beginning. After appointing Barbara Filipovits as Chief assessor, they disregarded her opinion regarding an interim assessor appointment and instead appointed a political hack and admitted thief to the position because he had "prior experience". That experience consisted of one course in the past not related to day to day assessing and a firm commitment not to run for the office later in the year. Thus, the revolving door of three republican assessors in one year continues.
Today's meeting was a sham and a shame. We have nothing to look forward to but mean spirited politics at its worst.
Citizens of Copake can and will remember these attitudes and decisions when elections come around over the next few years.
Morris Ordover
An Open Letter to the Copake Town Board
An Open Letter to the Copake Town Board
I urge the town board to open up the Copake Ethics Committee and its deliberations to public scrutiny.
At least in some ways, the committee is functioning as a means of protecting actual and potential legal and/or ethical violations by town employees and official appointees. Part of the reason for this is the lack of requirement that the committee's deliberations and even its conclusions are hidden from the public. In other words in a crucial area of government there is no transparency.
Late last spring, a town appointee, Karen Hallenbeck, deliberately misrepresented herself on the telephone as speaking to a town resident on a matter of so-called "official business." In fact, Ms. Hallenbeck was speaking to that town resident on behalf of a friend who was also an elected town official, in regard to a private disagreement that the town resident and town official had recently had.
After the Copake resident submitted a complaint to the Copake town ethics committee, and after the committee met in October, it took two full months before the resident learned that the committee had made its findings. But because the committee works in secrecy, she could not even find out what those findings were.
Ms. Hallenbeck was originally appointed to her position, that of town ombudsman, at the urging of town supervisor Reggie Crowley. So it was no surprise when the Ethics Committee sent Mr. Crowley its findings, which apparently confirmed the validity of the complaint, that he sat on them for two months instead of sharing them with his town board colleagues as the committee had requested him to do.
In another situation, a year or two ago, a complaint about an illegal and unconstitutional sign which in effect was being used to prohibit free speech in the town park was referred to the ethics committee. The town attorney was present at the town board meeting when the complaint was made and the matter should have been referred to him; there was no attorney on the ethics committee and the effect was simply to slow down the complaint.
The lack of government transparency in Copake compares quite unfavorably to, for example, Westchester County whose Board of Ethics operates in the open and whose findings are public. (Columbia County has no such board.)
Good government requires transparency, timely responsiveness from government officials and procedures designed to enhance resolution of complaints and/or produce answers to citizen’s inquiries.
Ms. Hallenbeck has now applied to be reappointed as ombudsman. The current procedure has been used to try to shelter her from public scrutiny. Because of this case, and any similar complaints that might be made against town officials or appointees, regardless of their party, the town board needs to turn the ethics board into one which can properly service the public.
Sincerely,
Howard Blue
I urge the town board to open up the Copake Ethics Committee and its deliberations to public scrutiny.
At least in some ways, the committee is functioning as a means of protecting actual and potential legal and/or ethical violations by town employees and official appointees. Part of the reason for this is the lack of requirement that the committee's deliberations and even its conclusions are hidden from the public. In other words in a crucial area of government there is no transparency.
Late last spring, a town appointee, Karen Hallenbeck, deliberately misrepresented herself on the telephone as speaking to a town resident on a matter of so-called "official business." In fact, Ms. Hallenbeck was speaking to that town resident on behalf of a friend who was also an elected town official, in regard to a private disagreement that the town resident and town official had recently had.
After the Copake resident submitted a complaint to the Copake town ethics committee, and after the committee met in October, it took two full months before the resident learned that the committee had made its findings. But because the committee works in secrecy, she could not even find out what those findings were.
Ms. Hallenbeck was originally appointed to her position, that of town ombudsman, at the urging of town supervisor Reggie Crowley. So it was no surprise when the Ethics Committee sent Mr. Crowley its findings, which apparently confirmed the validity of the complaint, that he sat on them for two months instead of sharing them with his town board colleagues as the committee had requested him to do.
In another situation, a year or two ago, a complaint about an illegal and unconstitutional sign which in effect was being used to prohibit free speech in the town park was referred to the ethics committee. The town attorney was present at the town board meeting when the complaint was made and the matter should have been referred to him; there was no attorney on the ethics committee and the effect was simply to slow down the complaint.
The lack of government transparency in Copake compares quite unfavorably to, for example, Westchester County whose Board of Ethics operates in the open and whose findings are public. (Columbia County has no such board.)
Good government requires transparency, timely responsiveness from government officials and procedures designed to enhance resolution of complaints and/or produce answers to citizen’s inquiries.
Ms. Hallenbeck has now applied to be reappointed as ombudsman. The current procedure has been used to try to shelter her from public scrutiny. Because of this case, and any similar complaints that might be made against town officials or appointees, regardless of their party, the town board needs to turn the ethics board into one which can properly service the public.
Sincerely,
Howard Blue
Sunday, December 20, 2009
I am distressed by political bickering, but pleased that all the town board members voted to respect voter’s rights
I am distressed by the political bickering reported in the Copake Chronical, that Judge Herman (who I voted for) engaged in; in particular the sniping at prior Justice Crowley. This is unseemly behavior for a member of the judiciary who I expect to be above the fray.
As for the court clerk issue, I think that there should be one full time clerk that serves both justices. If this is not possible then there should be two part time clerks.
Also I am pleased to see that all the town board members voted to respect voter’s right to choice where they vote, and am sorry to see this turn into political fodder.
Noel Fair
As for the court clerk issue, I think that there should be one full time clerk that serves both justices. If this is not possible then there should be two part time clerks.
Also I am pleased to see that all the town board members voted to respect voter’s right to choice where they vote, and am sorry to see this turn into political fodder.
Noel Fair
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Annual Hillsdale/Copake Fall Harvest Festival was a huge success!
Dear Editor:
The 2nd Annual Hillsdale/Copake Fall Harvest Festival was a huge success! Despite gloomy weather predictions, the rain held off long enough for everyone to enjoy the day and all it had to offer: farmers’ wares; a bake sale; a silent auction; Halloween Face Painting by Tracy Hanselman; 4H sheep petting; Main Farm calf petting; music by local musicians (The BH Brothers, Civilian, The Varriales, The Hillsdale Hillbillies, and Paul Slusar & Chris Dellea); food, featuring a Pig Roast by the Hillsdale Fire Co.; drinks by the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; and hay wagon rides. Many activities were ongoing throughout the day, including turkey calling demonstrations, kids’ games, pumpkin decorating, sack races, duck races in the Roe Jan Kill, a “biggest pumpkin” contest, an apple pie contest, and more.
This special event has a unique vision. Unlike each town’s individual-annual community day, it is a chance for our towns to join together at fall harvest time in the new Roeliff Jansen park to celebrate our local agriculture, and our local farmers’ wares, which are a featured aspect of the festival. We all agree that we live in a beautiful little piece of the world, and the Festival encourages us to come out and connect with nature, our community members, and be grateful for the precious land we share.
As this year’s event Chair, I personally want to thank all members of the community for your hard work, support, and generosity. Specifically, I thank our enthusiastic event participants, including Rose Rita Peterson Scarecrow Display, St Bridget Universal Prayer Garden, Cornell Cooperative Extention, Farmscape Ecology program at Hawthorne Valley, Friends of Taconic State Park, Old Rte. 22 Dog run group, Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, Trout Unlimited, and Hawk Dance Farm.
Many thanks also to our donors for donations including silent auction items, donuts from Stewarts, syrup from Camphill Village, apples from Philip’s Orchard, Love Apple Farm, and Threshold Farms, gourds from Samascott Orchard, potatoes from Staron Farm and Honey Dog Farm, pumpkins from White Oak Farm, and various vegetables from the farmers’ market.
I would like to thank our generous sponsors, including the Town of Hillsdale, Columbia County Tourism, Salisbury Bank & Trust Co, Copake Park & Recreation, Hillsdale Highway Dept., Hillsdale IGA, North Mountain Nursery & Farmstand, Roeliff Jansen Community Library, and Taconic Valley Lawn & Garden.
Finally, I would like to extend special thanks to all the volunteers, whether behind the scenes or working that day, including the Roeliff Jansen Park Steering committee, the Harvest Festival committee, and all who helped make this event so wonderful by their participation and attendance. The day couldn’t have happened without you all!
Next year’s Festival is planned for Saturday, October 2, 2010, and will be held rain or shine, as there is plenty of barn and tent coverage.
The Roeliff Jansen Park Steering committee will organize the event in 2010 and beyond: the goal is that the “Roe Jan Harvest Festival” will truly engage all the Roe Jan towns, in addition to Copake and Hillsdale, and that community members from across the region will participate in the festivities and unite through our area’s bountiful harvest. See you next year!
Most sincerely,
Christina Dellea
Hillsdale
2008/2009 Harvest Festival Chair
The 2nd Annual Hillsdale/Copake Fall Harvest Festival was a huge success! Despite gloomy weather predictions, the rain held off long enough for everyone to enjoy the day and all it had to offer: farmers’ wares; a bake sale; a silent auction; Halloween Face Painting by Tracy Hanselman; 4H sheep petting; Main Farm calf petting; music by local musicians (The BH Brothers, Civilian, The Varriales, The Hillsdale Hillbillies, and Paul Slusar & Chris Dellea); food, featuring a Pig Roast by the Hillsdale Fire Co.; drinks by the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; and hay wagon rides. Many activities were ongoing throughout the day, including turkey calling demonstrations, kids’ games, pumpkin decorating, sack races, duck races in the Roe Jan Kill, a “biggest pumpkin” contest, an apple pie contest, and more.
This special event has a unique vision. Unlike each town’s individual-annual community day, it is a chance for our towns to join together at fall harvest time in the new Roeliff Jansen park to celebrate our local agriculture, and our local farmers’ wares, which are a featured aspect of the festival. We all agree that we live in a beautiful little piece of the world, and the Festival encourages us to come out and connect with nature, our community members, and be grateful for the precious land we share.
As this year’s event Chair, I personally want to thank all members of the community for your hard work, support, and generosity. Specifically, I thank our enthusiastic event participants, including Rose Rita Peterson Scarecrow Display, St Bridget Universal Prayer Garden, Cornell Cooperative Extention, Farmscape Ecology program at Hawthorne Valley, Friends of Taconic State Park, Old Rte. 22 Dog run group, Roeliff Jansen Historical Society, Trout Unlimited, and Hawk Dance Farm.
Many thanks also to our donors for donations including silent auction items, donuts from Stewarts, syrup from Camphill Village, apples from Philip’s Orchard, Love Apple Farm, and Threshold Farms, gourds from Samascott Orchard, potatoes from Staron Farm and Honey Dog Farm, pumpkins from White Oak Farm, and various vegetables from the farmers’ market.
I would like to thank our generous sponsors, including the Town of Hillsdale, Columbia County Tourism, Salisbury Bank & Trust Co, Copake Park & Recreation, Hillsdale Highway Dept., Hillsdale IGA, North Mountain Nursery & Farmstand, Roeliff Jansen Community Library, and Taconic Valley Lawn & Garden.
Finally, I would like to extend special thanks to all the volunteers, whether behind the scenes or working that day, including the Roeliff Jansen Park Steering committee, the Harvest Festival committee, and all who helped make this event so wonderful by their participation and attendance. The day couldn’t have happened without you all!
Next year’s Festival is planned for Saturday, October 2, 2010, and will be held rain or shine, as there is plenty of barn and tent coverage.
The Roeliff Jansen Park Steering committee will organize the event in 2010 and beyond: the goal is that the “Roe Jan Harvest Festival” will truly engage all the Roe Jan towns, in addition to Copake and Hillsdale, and that community members from across the region will participate in the festivities and unite through our area’s bountiful harvest. See you next year!
Most sincerely,
Christina Dellea
Hillsdale
2008/2009 Harvest Festival Chair
Monday, December 14, 2009
Our Town Board Did The Right Thing
I agree. I was happy to see that the individuals on our town board can come together, put partisanship aside, and do the right thing for the Copake community.
People can talk all they want but it's their actions that will be remembered. I hope to see more of that type of cooperation.
I'm really floored by the antics of the County's Republican Party, they might as well just vote for the Democrats.
Good Job!
R Awe
People can talk all they want but it's their actions that will be remembered. I hope to see more of that type of cooperation.
I'm really floored by the antics of the County's Republican Party, they might as well just vote for the Democrats.
Good Job!
R Awe
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Vote by Our Town Board
Bob, The last meeting at town hall was very interesting and important. The vote by our town board was in the best interest of the town and I am very glad that it was unanimous. As a life-long Republican I would have had great trouble if those boys voted against your well reasoned resolution. The right to vote is extremely important to me and every American. Please keep up the good work. I am embarrassed to say that I didn’t vote for you, but I have great respect for your continued demonstration of leadership.
John Watts
The Validity of Certain Votes
I cannot be at the meeting on Saturday, but I'd like to add my voice to the debate over the questioning of the validity of certain votes in local elections.
I deplore this activity and see it as a transparent and insidious effort by county Republicans to disenfranchise, in a totally un-Democratic way, a targeted group of American citizens who are part of our community, but who may not, the Republicans fear, be voting for Republican candidates.
Sincerely,
Neil Costa
Voter Rights
I believe if you live here even part time you have a right to vote on local issues. I grew up in Berkshire county & most of my life I have listened to locals complain about second home owners. Lets not forget they donate to local hospitals, ambulance, fire station, park etc. They have also prevented developers from destroying our local beauty. People who believe they have no voter rights are small minded ignorant individuals.
Laurie Basinait
It is High Time to Fight Back
I appreciated your editorial ....it is high time to fight back vigorously.
If the Republican leadership does not cease their harassment, why not publish their names and the businesses they own. It would help second home owners know enough to avoid giving them our business.. We could start by providing the information about Fingar's insurance business and go from there.
Lou Levitt
I used to attend meetings more often under the old administration. I attended a few under the new and after the last Board meeting for the budget was going to write in. I feel that this new board has a lot of problems. Like Diane today I also felt like leaving because of all the bickering. At the last meeting I heard upsetting comments from Karen Hallenback. I am a senior but respect seniors who are more senior then I am. They are the people who paved the way for how we live today. We deserve more respect then what she gave us. I just don’t believe in being rude.
Also I vote for our town representatives for the good of our town. All I hear is discension between the members. Don’t you get together before meetings to discuss what is on the agenda. It seems to me that one person doesn’t know the others persons views on the subjects to be discussed. This is like arguing in front of your kids. Argue in private and discuss the outcome in front of the residents. This is why we voted for you. Whether it’s Republicans or Democrats, we have to have unity. This is the problem with the world today, it’s a power play. We have to work together no matter what party we belong to.
Barbara and John Gallicano
Copake, New York
Thursday, December 10, 2009
NOT MY IDEA OF DEMOCRACY
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
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
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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