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

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

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

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 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

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

I Commend Columbia County Highway Engineer Dean Knox

Dear Bob:


I wish to recognize and commend Columbia County Highway Engineer Dean Knox for his participation at the Copake Economic Advisory Board [CEAB] on Tuesday, November 17th.

The CEAB is tasked with seeking ways to improve the economic conditions in Copake. Revitalizing the hamlet area is a primary concern. Columbia County has another transportation project already funded and in development for this same location, and the impact and significance to downtown businesses is obvious.

Dean’s presentation generated much enthusiasm and excitement among all those in the attendance. His talk included ideas for preserving and enhancing the historic and scenic qualities of downtown Copake, while still improving the overall condition and safety of the county road. Dean also discussed establishing a citizen advisory board for the project.

Though construction is likely years away, and design not yet begun, I believe communication at this point between the county and town and people of Copake is crucial to the success of any revitalization effort. I hope the county Public Works committee -- as well as the rest of the county supervisors -- will support and encourage Dean’s continuing involvement. Doing so will ensure a positive experience for all.

Susan Winchell-Sweeney

Addicted to the Chronicle

Bob, I didn’t realize how addicted I have become to the Chronicle until you went on your honeymoon and you didn’t publish last week. I greatly missed my Copake weekly reading experience. Congratulations on your anniversary and also on publishing the best local newsletter I have ever seen. Please keep up the good work.

Jon Helm

Thanks for the Copake Chronicle

Bob: The Chronicle is an amazing publication. It is both folksy, local and it is state-of -the-art at the same time. I have lived here for 35 years and I have never been more informed about Copake. Please keep up the excellent work.

J. J. Miller

How does $9 Million dollars disappear from the county general fund?

How does $9 Million dollars disappear from the county general fund?

Our county leader, Board of Supervisors Chair Art Baer says that no
one is responsible. But despite his assertion, there are people
responsible and they need to be held accountable.

But first a few things need to be stated and understood. One of the
most important things to know is that not only is Ken Wilber the
County Treasurer, but he receives a separate salary as budget
director. So for anyone to seriously claim that there was no way for
Ken Wilber to have known about this issue is an outrage. He is County
Treasurer and Budget Director. How could he not have known? Either he
mislead the public, or he is incompetent. Whichever it is no longer
matters. The entire Board of Supervisors, Democrats, Republicans and
Independents should immediately call for County Treasurer Ken Wilber's
resignation.

As for Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Paul Mossman,
he needs to immediately explain to the public why he conducted his
department's accounting to the Board of Supervisors and to the public
in such a clearly shoddy manner. If he is unable or unwilling to
clarify the answer to this question, he should be dismissed.

But there are other questions that need asking as well. How long has
Chairman Art Baer known about this fiasco? What about the Chairs of
the various committees with budgetary oversight and oversight of DSS,
that should have caught this issue? How much will this scandal cost
the taxpayers of Columbia County in increased borrowing costs? Will
there be penalties for having lied to bond holders who purchased our
debt instruments in good faith and now find the county to have
overstated its fiscal health?

On the issue of the dismissal of Pattison, Koskey, Howe and Bucci: It
is no wonder that Pattison, Koskey, Howe and Bucci has been silent.
Chairman Baer has been reported as saying that he would "go nuclear"
if Koskey breaks that silence. Now there are rumors that Koskey is one
of bidders on One City Centre. The failure of Art Baer to release the
results of the bidding process only fuels the fire that we are not
getting the whole story.

The purchase of Ockawamick, the move of DSS, the relocation of Pine
Haven, the St. Charles Hotel as homeless shelter…and now the write
down of millions of dollars from the general fund. Our county has
lurched from one misguided and not thought through proposal after
another. Now we have the current scandal, all presided over by a
Chairman not elected by the people of Columbia County, but by the some
of the residents of the Town of Hillsdale.

All of this points out the real problem in Columbia County. Our form
of government is a breeding ground for secrecy, nepotism, lack of
accountability and corruption. For decades the Republican majority did
not even allow Democrats on the Board to see the budget before it was
approved by the Republican majority. The Democrats were
inconsequential in the process. While there has been limited
improvement to what is shared with the minority, due to Democratic
increases in representation on the Board; much of our county
government continues to operate in secret. This is the real reason for
this scandal and it will never end until Republicans no longer hold
the majority on the Board of Supervisors.

There are only a handful of counties in New York which still have
Boards of Supervisors. Most have moved to County Legislatures with an
Executive who is accountable to the voters of the entire county, not
just one of the towns. In the next few months I will be dedicating a
substantial part of my time to help create a public groundswell of
support to end our antiquated form of government. It is time to
replace it with one that is accountable for the decisions it makes.

One where the party in the minority has the same access to information
as the majority, regardless of which party is in power. I urge all of
the residents of Columbia County to do the same. Open government with
fair and thoughtful representation is what every citizen deserves.

Now is the time for Columbia County to move to a County Legislature
and County Executive.

Victor Mendolia
Hudson

We're Getting Close to the Election.

To the editor,

We're getting close to the election. In my mind the choices in this election are easy. On both the Copake Chronicle and the Copake politics forum as well as elsewhere, Linda Gabaccia and Bob Sacks have spelled out where they stand on various issues. They have served the town well. Among other things, Linda took the lead in both creation of a town policy handbook and taking on Sal Casino, the town's absentee polluter. Bob has been a voice of reason on the town board and most recently did the analysis that showed how Copake spends almost $10,000 per mile more than one of the other towns to maintain our roads. Thanks to Bob, this may result in our savings hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Their challengers, Harvey Weber and Joe Laporta have not, despite the fact they had been invited to post their views on the Copake Chronicle and this forum. In the assessor contest, Loredana Delventhal has committed herself to taking the training to be assessor as rapidly as possible; on the other hand David Gordineer has passed up opportunity after opportunity to take one of the most important courses required to properly do his job. In addition, he has a background of physical confrontation with the police and a shadow hangs over him because of another more recent arrest which also involves an allegation of violence.

In the contest for town justice, the incumbent Brian Herman, a highly respected attorney, is being challenged by the current chief assessor, Bill Kane, untrained in the law, who although he was once a town justice, has anger management problems and quit in the middle of an important course that assessors need to do their job.Now we just have to get out and vote.

Howard Blue

Allowing the Public to Decide for Themselves

Bob, Your hard work and effort make the "Copake Chronicle" an informative and needed resource for those among us who are not always able to attend local meetings concerning our community. Reporting un-biased news and allowing the public to decide for themselves is not a new but certainly an important aspect for an individual’s decision making, for that, I thank you. What is happening with the proposed housing project in the center of Copake and what is your view? Thanks again! Greg W

You Be The Judge

You be the judge Margaret Hosier I respectfully disagree with Mr. Jeff Nayer’s outrageous criticism of the grant process that was followed to obtain new carpeting for the Town Hall, and after listening to much of the misrepresentations around town and in the papers, I decided that it was about time to state the facts of the matter. The only pause I had, was, all of the grant info/correspondence was stolen from my desk in the Court Clerk’s office and a police report was filed on June 15, 2009. I have since received copies of the applications that were submitted to New York state, but all of the original paperwork, which included direct involvement with Judge Herman and everyone else I spoke with, was everything that mysteriously disappeared. The fact of the matter is, I had began simply contributing to the grant activity because Judge Herman included me in the process. He showed me where and how we could apply for these grants so we could bring our court up to date. Together we have been able to share the grant monies for the town of Copake’s benefit. Judge Herman’s involvement hasn’t been… just a signature. I have to say... thank you to Judge Herman, for being such a fair and equitable and knowledgeable individual, who put his trust and faith in me to take on the tasks of this challenging job. My wish is that the people of our community “vote the person not the party". Truth be told, Judge Herman knows the law and has executed this in his first term as our town justice! Margaret Hosier

Right For Copake

Right For Copake Over the past couple of years I have watched, read and listened intently as business has been conducted in Copake. Also during this same timeframe I have also been a member of the Copakepolitics yahoo group in which there has been many topics discussed by concerned residents and a select number of elected officials. Those few elected officials have listened to the residents and offered their points of view on the topics. Councilpersons Sacks and Gabaccia have demonstrated over and over again their professionalism and their concern about their town and what goes on to keep it running. Their service and commitment as board members, especially during the current financial crisis, shows that both have leadership qualities commensurate with their abilities. Sometimes it is necessary to take the road less traveled along with the ability to make the least popular decisions to do the business of the town. Both Bob Sacks and Linda Gabaccia have been able to do just that and still keep their promises to those who elected them to their current office. Their collective accomplishments are too long to list in this short article. Bob Sacks and Linda Gabaccia should be re-elected to their Copake Councilperson seats on Tuesday, November 3rd. It has also been my pleasure to get to know a fine man named Brian Herman who was elected as a Copake Justice a few years ago. I feel he is a real asset to the Town of Copake since he is a lawyer by profession so he has a real grip on the law. I have had enough exposure to Judge Herman to call him friend and know that he is truly a servant of the law which he administers firmly and fairly. Judge Brian Herman is the only clear choice to return to the bench on Tuesday, November 3rd. No matter what town/city you live in, please get out and vote. This is a Right that has been given to you by the sacrifice of many who have fought and died. You may not have noticed but election day in the United States is held just before Veterans Day and it is the veterans who fought for and gave you the right to vote. Signed: Arnie Anderson

You Got to Get the Taxes Down

Bob: It sounds like your fighting a tough battle. I agree, you got to get the taxes down. I think I told you that was one of the main reasons I left Copake. I was paying over three thousand dollars. Could not afford to stay. This was back in the middle 90s. I'm with you , the police force should go. I'm coming up deer hunting on the 17th of this month and will be here for about two weeks. Would like to meet you. Where do you hang your hat? Walt

illegal campaign activity

Dear Editor: In our local elections on November 3rd, we will be choosing among fellow citizens of our towns, often friends and neighbors. Prospective members of town boards have been campaigning on issues, on plans for positive change. Town Judge candidates, however, do not propose to change law, and so have little basis for appeal to voters, other than record, legal competence, and character. In Copake, however, there is a choice between an incumbent Town Judge, Brian Herman, who abides by the laws governing judicial elections, and Bill Kane, who does not. Section 100.5 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts Governing Judicial Conduct defines illegal activity by “a judge or candidate for elective judicial office.” Part A-1, iii of that section states that “prohibited political activity shall include…e) publicly endorsing or publicly opposing (other than by running against) another candidate for public office.” Bill Kane has violated this law, first, at the Republican caucus by seconding the nomination of David Gordineer for Copake Assessor, and since then by having a Gordineer sign on his front lawn. Since Mr. Kane is not a lawyer, he may simply be ignorant of legal requirements for judicial candidates. In that case, Brian Herman’s careful obedience of the law, like his many contributions to Copake during his judicial tenure, illustrates an advantage of seating a qualified and practicing attorney as a Town Judge. Clark M. Simms

I am on a very tight budget

Bob, the Chronicle is a great thing. I am not sure what impresses me the most, the fact that you thought of it, or the fact that you have put it out each week for almost a year. That shows a dedication and it really gets better each issue. I agree with most of your editorials. Please continue to do your best to save me my tax dollars. Like most people, I am on a very tight budget. If we need the police force so much, why doesn't Hillsdale have one? Why doesn't Art Baird want one? Or Ancram? or any of our other towns? Eva S

PUT UP A SMOKESCREEN AND PASS THE BLAME IN COPAKE

To the Editor PUT UP A SMOKESCREEN AND PASS THE BLAME IN COPAKE I'm sorry if I seem to write often, but I hate to see misinformation and misleading information put forth in an attempt to smear others. In your October 15th issue, you published a letter to the Editor from Reggie Crowley, Copake Town Supervisor, under the headline "Copake super faults last board's math". Early in October, Supervisor Crowley submitted a tentative budget to the Town Board for 2010 that, by the calculation of the Town's accountant, called for a 57% tax increase. He takes exception to variations on that amount such as 56%. My , what a difference. He comes forth in the letter stating that the increase is only 32%. My, my, that is a difference. How did he get such a wondrous reduction? He didn't include expenses to pay for special districts, such as Fire and Lighting. Add those amounts back in and we're back in the mid fifty percent range again. We have to pay those taxes so why delete them from the calculation? Now for the blame game. In late 2007, the then Democratic controlled Board, prepared a final budget for 2008 calling for a 2.7% increase, less than three percent in an effort to keep our taxes reasonable. Some of a large reserve was used to keep the increase low, but $75,000.00 was left in the budget as a reserve for future needs. Reggie Crowley took office January 1, 2008. If he thought that the budget needed adjustment, he could have started cutting costs then, but he didn't. He prepared a budget for 2009 when his party was in control of the Board. He kept the tax increase low by using a smokescreen - overestimating income from real estate transfers and mortgage recording, even if everyone else knew that those amounts were falling because of the poor economy. He cites overestimates in income by the 2007 Board. He was in power when income started to fall from all sources during 2008 but he did nothing to cut spending. He now blames the Democrats for that failure on his part. Instead, he used the balance of the reserve. Instead, he failed to reduce anticipated income for 2009. Now comes the 2009 reality, not the smokescreen. Because of the overestimation of income, the budget by early August showed that we would end the year short $200,000.00 to pay our bills. What to do? Borrow $200,000.00 instead of first looking to cut expensed to reduce that deficit. The Democrats on the Board fought that and as a result of their perseverance, cut spending by $100,000.00, leaving $100,000.00 to borrow, to borrow and pay interest. Reggie, cut the smokescreen. The deficit and the need for a huge tax increase (only 32%? by his numbers) came about under his supervision. Point your finger at others, but when the smoke clears, you were responsible. Remember Harry Truman? THE BUCK STOPS HERE!! Take responsibility. Morris Ordover Copake, New York

How do you lose $9 million dollars out of a balance of $20 million?

How do you lose $9 million dollars out of a balance of $20 million? Are you as confused as I was when I first read about the $9 million dollars that’s uncollectible in Columbia County ’s fund balance? Well here’s a brief explanation. When the Columbia County Department of Social Services spends $1 million dollars, the county immediately bills the state or federal government for reimbursement. That amount then shows on the county’s financial records as an asset, because the state will reimburse the county for the money. Unfortunately the DSS has been billing the state for amounts above reimbursement limits or caps. The Treasurer has treated the whole bill as an asset when in fact only a portion is an account receivable. Now a significant portion – $9 million – will never be paid by the state. What this does is inflate the county’s unexpended fund balance, so that everyone, including the Board of Supervisors, thought it had more funds than it had. Financial statements showing these bogus numbers have been used to obtain loans and bonds. Those outstanding loans or bonds were given by lenders based upon false financial statements. Now the county’s financial statements need to be written down by the $9 million. This write down must be, and apparently has been, reported to bond holders and perhaps even the SEC. Under these circumstances the county’s bond rating will almost certainly be reduced, which means the rate of interest the county pays on all its loans will go up. This will negatively impact the county’s finances. I can’t help wondering why Treasurer Ken Wilbur, never saw this. Would not ordinary reconciliation have shown a lack of $9 million? Carol Sacks

This Town is Very Lucky with Volunteers

Dear Bob, I read the letter in the Chronicle last week praising the Fire Company. I had to write in and agree 100%. This town is very lucky to have such a great group of volunteers. They respond to everything and we really need them. I don’t think the town really understands that if the volunteers stopped volunteering we would have to have a full time paid fire department. There is nothing more expensive than that. Thank you Bruce