Dear Editor:
At its February 11th meeting, the Republican majority on the Copake Town Board rejected the application of a well-qualified candidate for the position of citizen ombudsman because the candidate is an Episcopal minister. The Columbia Paper’s February 18th report on that meeting quoted Councilman Dan Tompkins as saying, “Is someone from another religious denomination going to want to speak to him?”
If we use Mr. Tompkins’ rhetorical question as a guideline for determining the suitably of future volunteers for the ombudsman’s position, then one might also argue that there should be no African-Americans allowed because someone from another race would not want to speak to them, or that there should be no gay people, or handicapped people or poor people. That is most assuredly not an attitude to which we should pander as Mr. Tompkins has done. It is an attitude to be despised.
If we then follow Mr. Tompkins’ sad reasoning to its logical conclusion, the best outcome would be for there to be no ombudsman at all. Now we come to the real crux of the matter. Mr. Tompkins and his Republican cohorts don‘t want an ombudsman looking over their shoulder because they fear exposure. By rejecting a citizen who may well have been the best qualified applicant for the job, they have secured their agenda of carrying out their business with as little citizen oversight as possible.
And to answer Mr. Tompkins rhetorical question, Yes, Danny, there is at least one person of another religious denomination in this community who can imagine dealing with an Episcopal minister as ombudsman. That person is me. I am the person who urged the Episcopal minister to volunteer for the position and I am indeed of a different religious denomination.
Sincerely,
Deborah Cohen
Copake Falls, NY
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
82 Year Old Copake "SNOW ANGEL"
BOB.
I always wanted to try the "SNOW ANGEL" BIT, here it is. I've named it "Marjories 82 year old "SNOW ANGEL"
Walt
I always wanted to try the "SNOW ANGEL" BIT, here it is. I've named it "Marjories 82 year old "SNOW ANGEL"
Walt
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Personal History of Copake
As a historian it has astounded me as to how much things have changed over the years. The house I grew up in was built by one of my ancestors in Copake, New York in 1687. Matthews was a simple tenant on Lord Livingston’s 160,000 acres manor. He rented about 80 acres, had to pay rent, build a house and a barn. Clear and fence the land, tend the live stock, plant wheat, an orchard and work on the road to the Manor House. Of course he had a slave bound to the farm to help. When the Massachusetts Bay Colony set up a township nearly 70 years later it included that farm. They were giving a 100 acres homestead free to new settlers and that started the Anti Rent War.
How times have changed. Still we seem to be held back by the inertia of the past. I remember when the minister of our church suggested moving the summer service up to 10; 30 from 11. One of our older board members and a stalwart of the church exclaimed; “It has always been held at 11!” That was it for change.
You can still see the same resistance to change today. It could be the County Chamber of Commerce that came out against the proposed Kohl’s Department store. Resistance to change is seen in the organization opposing the housing development of what was my farm. When a much smaller development was proposed for part of my land Mrs. Wilson organized resistance and about 50 people signed a petition opposing it and the project was eventually killed. It was particularly hard on my son Frank that wanted to take over the farm and I. That was because we just had our barn burned by the arsonist and need the funds from the sale of the land. I don’t like the proposed development by the way. It isn’t on the most sutable part of the two parcels the developers own.
While I no longer live in Copake I can see things that are needed for today and tomorrow. Long’s store was great. There was also the Circle Deli where you could shop. Today the Long’s store building wouldn’t meet the needs of the community. It was built by my great grandfather over a hundred years ago. It might make a better professional building or even an antiques shop or put to other uses. What Copake needs is a modern store to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. The people of Copake would be wise to look at where it should go to the best advantage. I have my own idea of where it should go.
I wrote two books. The first is Scandal in the Courtroom, found Guilty without Trial. It is a story of how Investigator Cozzolino wrote a statement and forced Frank to sign it. Frank never uttered on word of what he wrote but, a Federal Judge ruled it was a confession and granted the County a summary judgment motion prevented Frank for denying it. It is the story of how I went from owning a multimillion dollar farm to having just $200 in my pocket 12 years ago when I moved to Ohio. My second Book is Rebels of the North, how Land Policy Caused the Civil War. It too has much of the history of the area. Both were published at my expense and it is my hope to at least recover the cost of publication. Both are available at my web site http://www.grantlangdon.com/.
Grant Langdon
How times have changed. Still we seem to be held back by the inertia of the past. I remember when the minister of our church suggested moving the summer service up to 10; 30 from 11. One of our older board members and a stalwart of the church exclaimed; “It has always been held at 11!” That was it for change.
You can still see the same resistance to change today. It could be the County Chamber of Commerce that came out against the proposed Kohl’s Department store. Resistance to change is seen in the organization opposing the housing development of what was my farm. When a much smaller development was proposed for part of my land Mrs. Wilson organized resistance and about 50 people signed a petition opposing it and the project was eventually killed. It was particularly hard on my son Frank that wanted to take over the farm and I. That was because we just had our barn burned by the arsonist and need the funds from the sale of the land. I don’t like the proposed development by the way. It isn’t on the most sutable part of the two parcels the developers own.
While I no longer live in Copake I can see things that are needed for today and tomorrow. Long’s store was great. There was also the Circle Deli where you could shop. Today the Long’s store building wouldn’t meet the needs of the community. It was built by my great grandfather over a hundred years ago. It might make a better professional building or even an antiques shop or put to other uses. What Copake needs is a modern store to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. The people of Copake would be wise to look at where it should go to the best advantage. I have my own idea of where it should go.
I wrote two books. The first is Scandal in the Courtroom, found Guilty without Trial. It is a story of how Investigator Cozzolino wrote a statement and forced Frank to sign it. Frank never uttered on word of what he wrote but, a Federal Judge ruled it was a confession and granted the County a summary judgment motion prevented Frank for denying it. It is the story of how I went from owning a multimillion dollar farm to having just $200 in my pocket 12 years ago when I moved to Ohio. My second Book is Rebels of the North, how Land Policy Caused the Civil War. It too has much of the history of the area. Both were published at my expense and it is my hope to at least recover the cost of publication. Both are available at my web site http://www.grantlangdon.com/.
Grant Langdon
Friday, February 5, 2010
We Should All Know More About The Larger Issue Of Suicide
When I read this letter and saw the line that said "And we should all know more about the larger issue of suicide and how to prevent it" I took this as my que to do exactly that.
My name is Joan Spencer and I lost my 16 year old son, Jeffrey Taylor, to suicide a year ago September. Since then I've been a volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and they offer trainings on exactly that. I will contact the regional director and see about getting trainings down here for the community. As you have just seen, suicide affects not only the families but the community.
Through education you will be empowered by having the knowledge to know 'How to Save a Life' ....my son's favorite song...
J
My name is Joan Spencer and I lost my 16 year old son, Jeffrey Taylor, to suicide a year ago September. Since then I've been a volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and they offer trainings on exactly that. I will contact the regional director and see about getting trainings down here for the community. As you have just seen, suicide affects not only the families but the community.
Through education you will be empowered by having the knowledge to know 'How to Save a Life' ....my son's favorite song...
J
Thursday, February 4, 2010
I get so much more out of your issues than any other paper
Bob,
I can't thank you enough for taking this project on. I get so much more out of your
issues than any other paper. I hope it can continue for a long time to come.
Madeline
A Senior who has spent every summer at Copake Lake since l938
as a senior who has spent every summer at Copake Lake since l938 and still do I enjoy the chronicle for its happy and sad moments and pass it on to friends all fielded with fond memories of their lake days....
Muriel
Muriel
Hudson Valley Fresh is a Local Milk Producing Cooperative
Hello everybody and sorry to interrupt your day with a request. The Hillsdale I.G.A. is now carrying the Hudson Valley Fresh dairy products and I need to thank Chuck Weldon for this. Hudson Valley Fresh is a milk producing cooperative composed of only eight high quality, local farms. Jim Davenport, Walt’s Dairy (the Kiernan’s), Jon Conklin at Langdon’s and the Skoda’s are all members.
Many people ask me where to buy milk because they are worried about quality and food safety. I consider these some of my top farms. Requirements for them to ship milk to Hudson valley Fresh are that they do not use BST, keep their somatic cell counts very low and have the type of farm that people can visit and want to buy their products. They are also feeding more hay to increase D-3 levels. Their milk is now sold through the Hudson Valley including many quality vendors in New York City.
This milk and cream will be fresh because it produced and bottled locally and I think you will love the taste. The price will be higher but the farmers receive all of the profit. There is no middle man.
It is time that all of us support the farmers in this area. Recent events compel us to look at our role in helping. We want the green fields and open spaces that farms provide we must care enough to help. I guarantee that you’ll love the milk and cream.
Thank for your time,
George Beneke
Many people ask me where to buy milk because they are worried about quality and food safety. I consider these some of my top farms. Requirements for them to ship milk to Hudson valley Fresh are that they do not use BST, keep their somatic cell counts very low and have the type of farm that people can visit and want to buy their products. They are also feeding more hay to increase D-3 levels. Their milk is now sold through the Hudson Valley including many quality vendors in New York City.
This milk and cream will be fresh because it produced and bottled locally and I think you will love the taste. The price will be higher but the farmers receive all of the profit. There is no middle man.
It is time that all of us support the farmers in this area. Recent events compel us to look at our role in helping. We want the green fields and open spaces that farms provide we must care enough to help. I guarantee that you’ll love the milk and cream.
Thank for your time,
George Beneke
I feel for all of you
Hi Bob
The very sad news about Don Pierson reached me the other day via NPR. His act speaks of a desperation that is orders of magnitude beyond what most of us face on a daily basis, and yet, as Eric Ooms mentioned, we are a mere perfect storm of events away from that terrible dimension. As a student, I lived in a house with a man who apparently had serious mental health problems - he and his wife lived downstairs from me. I was in the middle of studying for exams, in my room, and all at once the coroner and police showed up. He had committed suicide. Though I didn't know him well, it took me months to come to terms with the shock. I had to postpone my exams, and final papers - couldn't keep a coherent thought in my head, other than the mundane, day to day stuff. I feel for all of you, and hope and pray that your sense of community will be source of strength going forward.
Linda Gabaccia's article touched on so many personal and insightful points, that I hope everyone affected by this will be able to read it, or speak with her...
As you all confront this sorrow, know that you are in my prayers,
Very Sincerely Yours,
Anne
The very sad news about Don Pierson reached me the other day via NPR. His act speaks of a desperation that is orders of magnitude beyond what most of us face on a daily basis, and yet, as Eric Ooms mentioned, we are a mere perfect storm of events away from that terrible dimension. As a student, I lived in a house with a man who apparently had serious mental health problems - he and his wife lived downstairs from me. I was in the middle of studying for exams, in my room, and all at once the coroner and police showed up. He had committed suicide. Though I didn't know him well, it took me months to come to terms with the shock. I had to postpone my exams, and final papers - couldn't keep a coherent thought in my head, other than the mundane, day to day stuff. I feel for all of you, and hope and pray that your sense of community will be source of strength going forward.
Linda Gabaccia's article touched on so many personal and insightful points, that I hope everyone affected by this will be able to read it, or speak with her...
As you all confront this sorrow, know that you are in my prayers,
Very Sincerely Yours,
Anne
Linda's personal essay was more than courageous!!!
Hi Bob --
As usual, another important issue of the Copake Chronicle. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
The issue of farmer suicide is enormous overseas, particularly in India, where hundreds, possibly thousands (by now) farmers have taken their own lives in desperation over low crop prices and the deep deficits they face. Unfortunately, our region's dairy farmers have been facing similar conditions now for months -- and so much of their suffering, I fear, has occurred in silence. Worse, the community at large has been largely deaf and blind to how serious this suffering is. Even coverage of the dairy-assistance act has been well "below the fold," as it were. And you could argue that government assistance has come too late to make a real impact, anyway.
Unfortunately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem -- and as Linda described so well, the major reason suicide is so infuriating, frustrating and deeply saddening to the survivors. Your coverage of the so very, very sad Pierson suicide was excellent, and Linda's personal essay was more than courageous!!! Intelligent coverage of the suffering of our farmers needs to reach the light of day until we all wake up, certainly. And we should all know more about the larger issue of suicide and how to prevent it. Thank you, Bob, and thank you, Linda.
I am also struck by the sweet (and sad!) toll house on Route 23 and the wonderful old post card you discovered that identifies what this structure was in its heyday. Like so many of your stories, it provided one of those "ah ha!" moments! Thank you for this! I wonder if there is any effort to preserve the tollhouse, which looks more and more derelict with every passing year. (I'm sure I am not alone in my concern and curiosity -- we all pass it regularly and wonder and worry.)
Best, Shawn
As usual, another important issue of the Copake Chronicle. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
The issue of farmer suicide is enormous overseas, particularly in India, where hundreds, possibly thousands (by now) farmers have taken their own lives in desperation over low crop prices and the deep deficits they face. Unfortunately, our region's dairy farmers have been facing similar conditions now for months -- and so much of their suffering, I fear, has occurred in silence. Worse, the community at large has been largely deaf and blind to how serious this suffering is. Even coverage of the dairy-assistance act has been well "below the fold," as it were. And you could argue that government assistance has come too late to make a real impact, anyway.
Unfortunately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem -- and as Linda described so well, the major reason suicide is so infuriating, frustrating and deeply saddening to the survivors. Your coverage of the so very, very sad Pierson suicide was excellent, and Linda's personal essay was more than courageous!!! Intelligent coverage of the suffering of our farmers needs to reach the light of day until we all wake up, certainly. And we should all know more about the larger issue of suicide and how to prevent it. Thank you, Bob, and thank you, Linda.
I am also struck by the sweet (and sad!) toll house on Route 23 and the wonderful old post card you discovered that identifies what this structure was in its heyday. Like so many of your stories, it provided one of those "ah ha!" moments! Thank you for this! I wonder if there is any effort to preserve the tollhouse, which looks more and more derelict with every passing year. (I'm sure I am not alone in my concern and curiosity -- we all pass it regularly and wonder and worry.)
Best, Shawn
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Heartbreaking News
BOB,
That was heartbreaking news about Dean Pierson. I use to bowl with his dad Helmer and he was one
hard working farmer. Great family. Keep up the good
work on the paper. Walt
That was heartbreaking news about Dean Pierson. I use to bowl with his dad Helmer and he was one
hard working farmer. Great family. Keep up the good
work on the paper. Walt
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Copake Grange Hall and the Old School House
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
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
Historic Buildings
Not being from Copake, I may be presuming when I point out that McIntyre's Ice Cream was opposite the theater in what had been Rockefeller's Homemade Ice Cream and later became The Hub. For some time, they also had a little popcorn stand adjacent to the theater.
If I am not wrong, Liz's Flowers was in the triangle in front of the clock. At one time, that housed Bray's Coffee Shop and then the Independent. On that note, I know that Elinor Mettler, Copake historian and founder of the Independent will further clarify the location of these buildings.
A note of interest, the original Rockefeller Homemade Ice Cream started in the little stand about to fall in ruins near the intersection of Wiltsie Bridge Road and County Route 3. I suppose the cream was then produced on what was then a farm.
Joan
If I am not wrong, Liz's Flowers was in the triangle in front of the clock. At one time, that housed Bray's Coffee Shop and then the Independent. On that note, I know that Elinor Mettler, Copake historian and founder of the Independent will further clarify the location of these buildings.
A note of interest, the original Rockefeller Homemade Ice Cream started in the little stand about to fall in ruins near the intersection of Wiltsie Bridge Road and County Route 3. I suppose the cream was then produced on what was then a farm.
Joan
Good Things Are Brewing in Copake
I must admit that i couldn't wait to open this issue of Copake Cronicle because I though the headline was hinting that a coffee shop was opening in town (wishful thinking!).
Amy
Amy
Copake Chronicle - Good Things Are Brewing in Copake
Geez Bob - you had me going for a minute there. I thought you were announcing the opening of a brew pub in Copake!
:-)
George
:-)
George
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Of The Copake Grange Hall and the Old School House
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.
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.
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
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