“The Jobs Crisis: What Hit Us?

Bob,

Just read the Copake Chronicle. I was stuck by your introduction to the Article written by Bob Burnett, of The Huffington Post, titled “The Jobs Crisis: What Hit Us?”

 You preface the article with, “It is also worth pointing out that the article is not favorable to the national Democratic or Republican positions.” I have to ask you to respond to this question. How can you make such a statement when the article is from The Huffington Post, which is one of the most progressive liberal blogs on the net, and goes on to bashes and blame Ronald Ragan and his presidency solely for the current economical woes of our country?

Gerard Meenagh

“The Jobs Crisis: What Hit Us?

“The Jobs Crisis: What Hit Us?

Bob:  I just wanted to say that I appreciated this article very much. Although it was about a national condition, it does seem to me to have local implications. There are many reasons why Copake is in the condition that it is in. A stagnant national economy is just one reason. The bottom line is that a local business man has to want to put his life savings into the project. If we are all honest with each other there are better places within a 10 mile radius to put your business life in such stress.

JJ Shaw

Copake Lake

A Registered Yoga Teacher In Copake

My name is Franny Alexander and I am living in Copake full time. I am a registered  Yoga teacher and  will be teaching Yoga in a small space above my barn. Presently I am teaching Sundays at 10 AM and will begin to teach on Friday(Sept .3rd)  at 10 AM. I am interested in forming more classes. I can teach on Tuesday as well, and could offer an evening class if there is a need. I am an experienced meditation practitioner and would also like to begin  a meditation course . Please let me know if you are interested and I will contact you with more information. Please  call me at 518 329 0729 

Frightful Railroad Accident

Hi Bob,

I wanted to let you know how excited I was to see the article "Frightful Railroad Accident" reprinted from /The New York Times. /My brothers and I heard this story when we were kids and had just been talking about it recently. We wondered if it really was possible that it happened the way we heard the story or was it some kind of "urban legend". Thank you for printing the article and for all the work you put into the /Copake Chronicle.

Kind regards,

Mary Hermans Guntert

I Want My Roads Plowed, and Very Minimal Government

Dear Bob:

I do not want my taxes to go up any more than absolutely necessary. I want my roads plowed, my children in a good school, and very minimal government. That minimal government includes the release of a police force we never needed in the first place. This is not about jobs, as they are all very part timers. It is about relief of the Copake Tax burden and thinking and planning ahead. We never had these problems till Reggie and Tompkins came to power. I fully expect that when they go away so will these stupid problems. I greatly regret my vote for them. It will not happen again.  

Jake Simon

Copake Falls

The Budget Deserves Serious Consideration

Dear Bob,
I think that your proposal to fund a reassessment and build a fund balance in the budget deserves serious consideration.  However, I'm not sure that we can afford to wait for a referendum.  As I recall, the budget problem surfaced last summer and we were forced to borrow and raise taxes.  I think that the town councilpersons and supervisor should immediately determine our financial status and take action to avoid a debacle like last year.  A good place to start cutting is the Copake Police Dept.  This is a duplication of services that we cannot justify maintaining in light of the current economic environment. 

This recommendation is not made lightly nor should it be perceived as a negative evaluation of the Department.  We simply cannot afford it.  I have observed  the State Police, the Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and the Sheriff's Dept.on patrol in the area and on the lake.  The coverage is excellent.  I feel confident that they can provide good coverage if the Police Dept. is disbanded.
Sincerely,
David Craw
A Copake voter

Ideas for Fixing The Mess the Town Board Has Gotten Us Into

Hello Bob,

The Chronicle Article was very good and  very timely. Here are some quick thoughts on what you need to do, and quickly!

One way to fix the mess the town board has gotten us into is to simply not spend what we don't have. You guys are all guilty of this. I seem to recall that many items that were carved out at the end of fiscal year 2008 for fiscal year 2009 have made their way back into the budget. Things that have no business being funded by the tax paying public. Here is a sample for your perusal.

 1.) Young at Hearters

2.) Summer play ground program which basically is a subsidy for day care.

3.) Park Superintendent-this work is currently being done during the day while the individual is being paid out of the highway budget. Double dipping to be sure.

4.) Poor internal controls over assets

5.) Failure to use competitive bidding on many large ticket expense lines.

     Health insurance

     General insurance

     Supplies

     Office equipment

     Computers and phone systems.

On another note, our ZEO should be out there capturing revenue for all the apparent zoning violations in our township. If John Keeler and I can see violations, I have a difficult time with the apparent inability of the ZEO to see the same things. In addition to this, perhaps one building inspector is enough and one that has certification.

As far as the Police dept. being made into a substation for the State Police or the Sheriffs, that was one of Reggie's planks in his election campaign. Once elected he forgot about that and told us that the Sheriff could not get enough manpower to do so. Then the rumor was circulated that if we had abolished the police department we would have no coverage since we were so far from Hudson. Sheriff Harrison indicated that was untrue and that he had the responsibility to cover all of our county 24/7.

Immediately after the statement that our town could not be covered the State Police became an almost daily presence. So hate to say this, but someone was fabricating. We do not need the police department at all. The coverage offered by the state agency as well as the county agency if more than sufficient.

The list goes on and on and quite honestly it is shameful. The tax paying public is tired of the drama that unfolds each month. We are also tired of the games that are played with our funds and the apparent lack of fiduciary responsibility. I would hope that someone with some business sense comes out of the wood work to lead this town in a fiscally responsible manner. As it stands right now, we are doomed.

Sorry to have to break the news to you, but this is how many, many folks are seeing this and it needs to change ASAP.

Next November has the potential to be a blood bath on the local level if things don't change.

Fran Miller

My Contempt for the Sheer Incompetence

Bob,
I've lived here for over 30 years,have paid in excess of 100K in school taxes(single,no children)and am finally showing my contempt for the sheer incompetence, in the waste of the tax dollars.


Example,I stopped by the school to inquire about the use of the swimming pool and much to my dismay,not only couldn't I find anyone there(front doors all locked) but every light was on in all the hallways A.C. blasting! I want to know what the H is going on(not to mention the outdoor parking lot lights burning most of the night).The waste in one year could probably pay for an alternative energy source(ex. wind mill) which may well eliminate the need for expensive electric altogether.  Tune in and turn Off 


B.K.
P.S Then they have the audacity to charge me a buck to swim!

I found a metal/ribbon in the road after the parade

Hi Bob,

I found a metal/ribbon in the road after the parade in Copake on Monday. It is a star metal attached by a red/white/blue ribbon. My guess is that is belongs to a Veteran. What is the best way to get this back to the owner? I can drop it off at Town Hall Friday afternoon.

Please let me know.
Thanks
Patricia Phesay

Copake Is My Home

Dear Bob,


I want to take this opportunity to thank the Copake Park Commission for the awesome job they did with the fundraiser for Jeffrey’s Journey at The Cove this past weekend. They did everything – from soup to nuts. All the advertising, organizing and leg work it took seeking donations.

As I said at the town board meeting this past Saturday, a few years back I wanted to move closer to Albany so I could work in the Albany area as a nurse and continue my education, but it never really felt right in my heart…. And now I know why…because this is where I belong …
Copake is my home. Joan Spencer

A Chronicle of Their Own

This letter is in responce to another letter to the editor saying that it was obscene that other towns don't have a Chronicle of their own. The editor of this paper says thanks for the note from both writers.

It is sad, or regretable, but not obscene that other towns don't have a "Chronicle " of its own. Other towns don't have that combination of a skillful writer, a professonal editor-publisher, a wide-ranging interest and a comittment to a community-- all wrapped up in one person like Bob Sacks.

You need all those qualities to get what Copake has.
 
DF

I am Proud of the Democrats in Town

I, as president of the Copake Democratic Club, am proud of the Democrats in Town. We came together in large numbers, approximately 85 of us, to hold an open nominating process, with a secret ballot to allow voters to make their preference without others looking at their choice. We looked at the candidates and saw two qualified men, and chose to provide for an open election in November, with two candidates on the ballot allowing for open discussion of the issues and freedom of choice. That is democracy and that is the path we as Democrats follow.


Thank you Copake Democrats, for attending in such numbers and permitting the entire town to see what we are, what we offer for the future of the Town and how to run an open and effective caucus, allowing anyone present the opportunity to speak and be heard. We look forward to open factual public debate prior to the election in November, and to a Copake Democratic Party united in that democratic process. We will show, that even with a divergence of opinion, we can pull together for the common purpose of electing our candidates dedicated to open government.

Morris Ordover
Copake Democratic Club President

Has anyone taken a good look at the creek on 7A lately?

Has anyone taken a good look at the creek on 7A lately? It is cluttered with fallen trees and debris.


Our home as well as several others on the Main Street has suffered flooding from the stream. I have asked the town board for help but am continually told that clean up of the stream is not allowed by DEC. While I brought this up at a town meeting, Reginald Crowley stated that the DEC would not permit cleanup. However that was contradicted by other members of the board. Why hasn't the Copake town board ever applied for a a permit with DEC to clean up the stream to prevent flooding of our homes?

I feel that since it only affects a few homes it is not seen as important to the town.

I have contacted William Nechamen, Chief Flood Plain Management NY State Dept of Enviromental Conservation and was told that clean up was possible if done correctly. But without a request for a permit nothing is being done.

We should not have to worry each time we get a heavy rain.

I wonder if the members of the town board or their families lived on Main Street if this problem would be resolved.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Williams
Copake NY

Voting for Change

Decisions are gong to be made on Saturday morning. In the case of Highway Department Supervisor the impact of that decision is huge. Copake has suffered a succession of highway supervisors whose goal was never in doubt; to build an empire inside the town. The Supervisors were Republicans, so they hired only Republicans. They inflated the budget to a degree that their line item now constitutes half the cost of the entire town budget - that we sustain as taxpayers - and they have historically been arbiters of far more than road maintenance – they’re outsized influence was felt far and wide.


I’ve been here ten years and heard nothing from Democrats except, “We need to clean that place up”. “We need to look at the books” (Which we’ve never been able to do.) “We need new blood there.” “I’d do anything to get an independent Highway Supervisor.” Now, we have that chance and I see that instead of seizing our opportunity we are lining up to seat another Republican in the very place they have mismanaged for decades.

Bill Gregory seems like a nice man and competent, but exactly the same thing can be said of Bill Jamieson who also has decades of experience on the roads of our town and country. Both men enjoy good reputations as decent people and hard workers. The critical difference is that Bill Gregory is a Republican and Bill Jamieson is not. How then, can we squander our opportunity? How is it that we are losing our nerve at the critical moment? I remind all that this vote will put new leadership in the town’s most important office for exactly one year. If Bill Jamieson doesn’t please us in 52 weeks, the voters will get another chance to speak. How then, with this window of opportunity, can we not act in both our own interest and the interest of the town?

In case anyone’s forgotten, Bob and Linda can speak to all of you about the cost of missing an opportunity to exercise our power. They sat on a board for two years with a majority vote and instead of playing hardball, they played “nice.” They will be the first to tell you that was a huge mistake, one they won’t make again.

This isn’t personal for me. Nor should it be personal for Democrats. This is about strategy. It’s our moment to exercise our growing power. It’s our moment to make a statement to the good old boys and their dying mantra of anchoring our town to the past instead of the future. I call upon all Democrats to vote, and vote for our vision, our goals, because if anyone’s going to have a hell of a good laugh on Saturday, it will be the good old boys when they watch Democrats vote Republican.

Ian Jarvis – Voting for Change.

The Coverage of the Copake area Veterans

Mr. Sacks, I was moved by your coverage of the Copake area veterans. That was a very special issue. The Chronicle serves a wonderful purpose for our town and I thank you for your public commitment. I wanted you to know that our friends in Ancram are jealous and wish they had a paper like ours. I will be looking for you at Copake Day, to personally shake your hand and say thanks.

John Hess
Copake Lake

Troubled

It was terrific news to hear today that the young man who went missing this past holiday weekend has been found. I cannot imagine the fear, stress, and hopelessness a situation like that puts on a family and friends, let alone the person himself, who must have been fighting to stay alive.

The search that was launched to find him was a success.
Thank God, and the authorities, for that.

As I read the news today, I could not help thinking about a young man who went missing in our area last December. Very different circumstances from this latest story, I know.

He was discovered four months later, by chance, deceased, quite close to where he was last seen.
I felt then, and still feel, somewhat troubled about the events and details of this man's demise.
When I hear the stories about young children gone missing, or the elderly who wander-off, or most anyone for that matter, it usually seems to include a relatively thorough hunt to find them or, at least, a reasonable explanation why a search is called-off or not launched in the first place. But, maybe that's just the world that I see and hear on the news.

I realize that each case is different, and that the young man found today was missing for entirely different reasons. But, something about John Picarello's story leaves me uneasy and sad.

Even though he went missing in the middle of the winter, I cannot imagine that a trained dog could not sniff-out his body, even in snow. I also would like to think that we, as a community, would have come together in some way to help, if called upon.  But, perhaps there were circumstances I am not aware of.  I remember the time when John Picarello first went missing. I knew he was missing because printed signs started to appear in some local businesses. Not much local talk.

I do not remember much, if any, local news coverage, nor do I remember a large-scale search for him.
All I know is that one day in late March this young person was found, long-dead, in a cemetery.
It was profoundly sad.

I pray for the soul of the deceased, and I send my best wishes to the family and friends who just found their missing loved one.

Steve R.
Copake

Rejection of my Book

I was born in a house built in 1687 in Copake and ran a 380 acres, 130 cow dairy farm in Copake for 30 years. I was president of Columbia County Farm Bureau and invited the United States Secretary of Agriculture and the Governor of New York to Copake to honor Bud Fischer for his work in starting the bulk handling of Milk. I provided pictures of the occasion for the display the upcoming display at the Roeliff Jansen Historical Society of which I am a member. I hope they make use of the material I have provided to them.

I also wrote a history of the area.. I document the importance of what happened here to the development of the United States. I offered to give a copy of Rebels of the North to each person attending the Historical Society annual banquet. My offer of a free book about the history of the area was rejected. For that reason I gave my paid for ticket away and do not plan to attend the Banquet.

I believe the rejection was because of my first book, Scandal in the Courtroom. That book remains controversial. It was written to clear my son’s name for his arrest for arson which never went to trial. It involves a cover-up of an illegal arrest. As part of the cover-up Federal District Judge Howard G. Munson ruled my son confessed. That is blatantly faults, but that ruling prevented a trial from taking place.

There is also another fact the public has a right to know. I filed a motion for sanctions against the lawyers that lied. Judge Munson removed my motion from the court records in Syracuse, but evidence of its existence remained the Court Records in Albany.

Howard G. Munson was appointed to the court by President Gerald Ford and served in the Northern District of New York for 32 years. .He even served as Chief Judge from 1980 to 1988. His decision to step down as judge came after a petition for his impeachment was sent to the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Judge Munson faced being indicted for altering Court records. I was the person that filed that petition.

Grant Langdon,

former Columbia County Farm Bureau President

Nothing Positive In All Their Time In Office

Bob. I read your letter to the town board with great interest. I am embarrassed by your Republican counter parts. I have decided that I am changing my party to the Conservative party today. I just can't live here anymore and be a member of the same party with those good for nothings. They have done absolutely nothing positive in all their time in office. Well, nothing but bankrupt a wonderful town. My mother's family has owned a house here since 1902. We have never had these kinds of troubles till these do nothings came into office.

 . . . Since I refuse to sell my family heritage, I can only hope that there are better days and better candidates ahead of us.

I heard a rumor today that was actually a bit scary. Bob, please don't leave the government and please do continue to keep us informed by putting out the Chronicle. 

Jason Freeman
Copake Lake

The Cleanup of Route 7A

Bob,


As always, THANK YOU for your work on the Copake Chronicle. We look forward to every edition.
I read your letter to the town board regarding the cleanup of route 7A and as a resident of that road I am interested in knowing what exactly needs to be done to make it better. Once I know that perhaps I too can help "make it happen".

Thanks,
Phil

Keeler Addresses Cozzolino's Response to Copake Town Board Resolution

The recent resolution of the Copake Town Board asking D.A. Beth Cozzolino to investigate alleged environmental crimes in Copake and the District Attorney’s response is telling about the malfeasance in office being committed by Cozzolino for the last 15 years.

Cozzolino’s response to two local newspapers that her office is not an investigating office and lacks the workforce needed to be such is an incredible “spin doctor” response that does not reflect reality and covers up her lack of responsibility to the taxpayers of Columbia County.

To be an effective D.A., any complaint must be reviewed under three variables: 1) What are the facts? 2) What is the law? and 3) What is in the interest of justice?

Cozzolino’s lack of willingness to take Copake’s matter under her wing and request local or state detectives to work cooperatively with her to answer the above three questions shows how narrowly and inappropriately she views her position.

One cannot separate investigation from prosecution. It is like trying to split hairs and in effect, Cozzolino is neglecting her mandated duties.

Except for hunting law violations, Cozzolino has never been involved in prosecuting environmental crimes even though this has been a major concern in Columbia County for many years. It is not rocket science to with cooperation with NYS officials and scientists, it is not an unreasonable request by the Copake Town Board.

Cozzolino’s unwillingness to reach out proactively and build cooperative relationships with police means serious crimes go unpunished. For many years the NYS Police Drug Investigators refused to come to Columbia County because of Cozzolino’s lack of cooperation.

As former D.A., public defender and conflict public defender, I know first hand how her office resources are managed. It is not unusual for simple cases to take months or years to be resolved.

Since I was D.A. in 1984-87, the D.A.’s office staff has ballooned with employees even though the crime rate is approximately the same. The NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Web site reflects statistics collected over the years that reflect the fact that Cozzolino can’t blame the Board of Supervisors.

Cozzolino has the workforce and the Grand Jury at her disposal to investigate anything she cares to either independently or in cooperation with any state or police agency.

Evidently, Cozzolino really doesn’t care. It’s an open secret with the local criminal justice professionals that she works part time in a full-time position and is inaccessible to authorities who really do care about making Columbia County a better place to live in.

Eugene Keeler

Former D.A. and public defender
Hudson