A Feeling of Fellowship and Pride in the Town

Dear Bob,


Congratulations! Your young publication now 100 issues old! Generating an emergency alert system is a real contribution, but even more your tribute to Randi Shadic and others who serve the community does a great deal to create a feeling of fellowship and pride in the town. As your fellow Copake citizens, we are all very fortunate to have the benefit of your experience, expertise, and civic devotion. Thanks.

Mac
Copake Falls

Our Community is Very Fortunate

In this season of unexpected weather and higher gas prices, our community is very fortunate to have the DEPOT DELI open every day of the week now, fully stocked from the daily papers and coffee to sandwiches, drinks and canned foods and much more (maybe even homemade chili).  They are located near the Taconic State park and entrance to the rail trail in Copake Falls.  329-4770


Iris Sachs

My New Web Site - www.crookedjudges.com

Letter to the Editor:

I would like to announce my new web site; http://www.crookedjudges.com/.  In my web site I propose that the Grand Jury be replaced with a judge to examine the evidence to determined if there is enough evidence to go to trial. My proposal is based on the arrest of my son and his indictment by the Grand Jury.  The District Attorney, Paul Czajka, ended the matter "for failure to go forward." He did not have any evidence and could not win the case. There was no determination of guilt or of innocents. The web site also proposes a mandatory investigation of charges of judicial misconduct if the charge is dismissed and then appealed.  I have asked the innocents project and others  to comment.  The innocents Project has freed hundreds of men from prison that were proven innocent.

Grant Dinehart Langdon

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County


Thanks for the heads up...had no clue!

Karen D.

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County


Thanks Bob, without your updates it’s next to impossible to know what's going on up there. We are having enough issues down here in Westchester County. Thanks again!

MaggieQ.

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County

RE: A STATE OF EMERGENCY for all Columbia County


Bob - THANK YOU for this. I had no idea there was a state of emergency right now. It's just great to have this local source of information at this very isolating time.

Mary Allen

Stuck in the Driveway

Dear Bob,


I have never written a letter to the editor before but I thought this would be an appropriate first.
On 12/27 ( the day of the 20” storm) I was able to drive my 4 wheel vehicle out of my driveway onto County Route 7 in West Copake. Retuning after 4PM I did not get a head of steam back into my driveway as the highway department pushed a wall of snow at the entrance. My snow removal person did not get to me yet.

Trying for about 15 minutes with someone behind the wheel, I pushed and pushed with no success. Cars coming the other way slowed down when they saw my car partially on County Route 7. I got scared when one of the cars did one hellavu slide.

Now for the purpose of this letter. Several months ago they were letters and letters about getting rid of the Copake police Department. I am very happy that they decided not to. A Copake Police car passed my stuck car, turned around with emergency lights ablaze letting traffic from both directions know there was something wrong. Seeing we were still having trouble Officer Luann Varney climbed though almost 3 feet of snow drift and helped up push the car out of the way.

I am glad that the powers that be kept the Police Department. They are here to protect us which is in their line of duty. Ms. Varney went a step further.

Ed Horowitz

Copake Sign Ordinance

Does the Copake sign ordinance require that "out of use" signs be removed? I believe there is such a requirement for temporary signs such as political campaign signs. But what about businesses that go bust? The restaurant on Route 22 just north Copake Falls was last in business briefly around the start of 2009. Its signs are still up promising a great breakfast deal. Random Harvest is long gone, but its signs still advertise organic produce. No doubt there are other examples, including empty stores in the center of Copake. Shouldn't these signs be removed when there is no viable business? They are unsightly and they emphasize to passers-by that Copake is full of failed enterprises. Not the message we want to send, I'm sure.


Dale Peterson

Brilliance of the Annual Light Parade of Copake

Dear Editor, I just wanted to share with our community how heartwarming it was to see so many neighbors come together and share in the brilliance of the Annual Light Parade of Copake on such a frigid Saturday night. We purposely come out of our warm, comfy homes knowing how cold it is to partake in the festivities and join in the good will we feel when surrounded by our neighbors and family. Truly a beautiful picture of how community organizations and individuals come together for the betterment of all. A theme that can be replicated all year long if we allow it.


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Everyone.
Joan Spencer

Anger of Party Chairs Ironic

To the party chairs clamoring for Baer's removal and

demanding an end to autocratic, secret back-room deals, I
have to ask: You're angry...NOW?

For years you have supported the very policies and behavior
that you are demanding to have end, but NOW you're angry.

Forgive me for pointing this out, but the absurd irony of this
statement is surpassed only by the logic of giving tax breaks
to the wealthy--increasing the national debt to unprecedented
levels--in exchange for extending benefits for the long-term
unemployed.

So now, after years of not only failing to protect the citizens
from this destructive, self-interested behavior, we have a
declaration from some of Baer's former cheerleaders that it
must come to an end.

Makes me wonder if one of the writers found themselves on
the receiving end of Baer's "autocratic and secretive"
managerial style and were otherwise "alienated, threatened
or dismissed".

You might be reminded that all of this occurred on your
watch, and was made possible by your active support, or at
the very least, tacit approval.

Just so that we all understand: The same individuals who
have a record of steadfast support for all of these misguided,
self-interested and financially devastating acts are now
leading the charge for open and transparent government.

And you expect us to take you seriously.

Rose Aulino
Copake

Didi Barrett Thanks Columbia County

To the Editor,


As we enter the holiday season and look ahead to 2011, I want to take this moment to thank friends and neighbors in Dutchess and Columbia Counties for the extraordinary opportunity to run to represent them in the New York State Senate. I am honored by the 37,000 citizens who voted for me and I am inspired by the many hundreds of citizens who volunteered throughout the campaign. They gave extraordinary time, energy and financial support. They, too, wanted to see a more transparent, accountable and sensible state government.

No turnout figures or percentage of the vote begin to tell the stories of the people, young and old, that we connected with over these last nine months. I am very proud of the race we ran. We gave voice to many folks throughout this district who have felt ignored for way too long. We spoke passionately about the beautiful Hudson Valley and the need to find economic engines that attract sustainable jobs, protect our natural resources and farms, and celebrate the best of our region.

We traveled many times from one end of this incredibly diverse district to the other; we spent time in each of the 31 towns and three cities in the 41st State Senate district. We talked with residents about substantive issues and educated voters about the incumbent’s voting record, not his real estate.

For more than two decades, I have been an active member of the Millbrook community. I remain committed to public service and to this region. I look forward to continuing to work side by side with neighbors, community leaders and activists to make the Hudson Valley of the 21st century the best it can be for residents and visitors alike.

Thank you again,
Didi Barrett

What is the Matter with the United States?

To the editor,


What is the matter with the United States? We rank 37 in education and our medical care is not, as the Republicans claim, the best in the world but only the most expensive. Our trains run slower than most other countries and our bridges are falling apart.

I have been exchanging Christmas letters with on old collage friend, Bert Bakker, who lives in the Netherlands and have some thoughts to share. Bert recently took another trip through northern Europe after 20 years and had some observation. The stores had more goods and the people seemed better off. A second observation was there were not as many military planes flying around. Then he went past an air base and it was growing crops and had been rented out to farmers. What had changed was the USSR had collapsed and defense begets were cut. It was the old story of guns or butter.

Instead of funding our schools, building faster trains, building new bridges during the Bush administration we have spent a trillion on fighting in Iraq. We have the guns, but now we are short on butter.

Now, not one Republican voted for a measure to extend the Bush Tax Cuts to the middle class and even people with income of a million dollars. They want the tax cuts extended to multi-billionaires. And here I am a mere multi-thousandaire getting stuck with the taxes!

What happened to the GOP?\
 
Grant Langdon

Comments on the Fairness of the ZBA

I should like to second Bob's comments on the fairness of the ZBA in
the Copake Chronicle.I had the occasion to go before them on a
spurious complaint from the Zoning Enforcement Officer with which the
Building Inspector concurred. The ZBA rejected their complaints as out
of order, apologized to me for the inconvenience and I believe
reprimanded them both for forcing me to bring a case before trhe ZBA
with the considerable paper work time and photos required. Our
Community should be grateful that we have such intelligent, rational
and fair members of this Board.,

Leonard Ladin
West Copake

Reggie Shouldn’t be Crowing about Holding the Increase to 9% instead of 10%

The Republican ideal is less government, less taxes
Copake added to the budget by going to a sole assessor. The Republicans had no candidate but now Reggie gets to pick a Republican for the sole assessor. Adding hours to the Copake Police is a waste of money and efficiency. It just adds patronage jobs to help elect Republicans. Copake taxpayers will be funding the Sheriff’s budget but not using their better staffed and trained services. Reggie shouldn’t be crowing about holding the increase to 9% instead of 10%. "

Grant Dinehart Langdon

Family Resource Centers of Columbia County Epress Gatitude

To the Editor,


On behalf of Family Resource Centers of Columbia County, I am writing to express our gratitude to the many families and friends who turned up for our Family Bowling Night Benefit held at the Chatham Bowl last weekend. This event was a tremendous success and raised over $1,800 for our five resource centers.

Our success would not be at all possible, especially during these difficult fiscal times, without such generous community support. We are truly fortunate to have the Chatham Bowl lend its support to us for this event each year. Our thanks also goes out the Side Door Grill for their tireless work in providing our crowd with their delicious pizzas and hospitality throughout the evening. We are truly fortunate to have these family friendly establishments in our community!

This event was also made possible by generous support from our longtime supporters, Kinderhook Bank, Guterman, Shallo and Alford, Herringtons, Chatham Brew and Fairbrother and Company.



Thank you to all for your commitment and support for the children and families served by Family Resource Centers of Columbia County.

Sincerely,
Beth St. Dennis
Executive Director

A Successful Year for Thanksgiving Baskets

To the Roe-Jan Community
Once again we had a successful year for Thanksgiving baskets. We helped 38 senior adults, 260 adults, 68 teens, 67 children and 7 babies. 147 families had a Thanksgiving meal thanks to you.

To every individual involved, thank you so much! Dave MacMillan, Chuck Weldon and the Hillsdale Fire Company - extra thanks!!

God bless,
Bette Gallup

Continually Amazed by the Copake Chronicle

Dear Bob,
Thank You. I greatly appreciate how you write each week and let the town know what is going on. You take the time to explain your actions on the board and why you vote the way you do. I know of no other town nor elected official that has the strength of character to do that. I am continually amazed by the wonderful Copake Chronicle and your dedication to the town of Copake  I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your hard work.

J.B. White

A Drunken Prank by Some Idiot

Bob,
This is the first I've learned of the vandalizing incident at the Library.
Frankly, I wouldn't give this too much play. It's likely nothing more than a drunken prank by some idiot who's too anxious for the start of deer hunting season. While the behavior is imbecilic and the idiot is a vandal -- its unlikely he targeted the Library because it represents a civilizing influence in our community.

More likely is that the building has been prominently lit up in the evenings making it a tempting target for a fool. The same kind of fool as the ones who shoot at traffic signs and the like.

Unfortunately, any society includes a fair number of clowns and miscreants in its composition. We just managed to get one who's stupid enough to drive around with a loaded rifle.

Regards,
George S

A Senseless and Unfortunate Act of Vandalism

This past weekend our community experienced a senseless and unfortunate act of vandalism. After many years of planning and hard work, the Roe Jan Library proudly opened it's doors on a new building, only to have it scarred by someone firing 6 shots into the building causing in excess of $5,000 in damage.

While the physical damage can easily be repaired, the damage to our community cannot. This cowardly and senseless act was not only an assault on a building, but an assault on the community as a whole. A library is a focal point of any community and many people worked very hard to make this library something that the whole area can be proud of.

I join my fellow Supervisors, Art Baer and Art Bassin, in condemning this act. I have spoken with Undersheriff Sweet and am assured that the Sheriff's Department in vigorously investigating this incident. The person or persons responsible for this vandalism must be brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I urge anyone who has any information regarding this incident to contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Department at 518-828-3344.

Senseless acts like this one cannot,must not and will not be tolerated by our community.

Reginald J. Crowley
Copake Town Supervisor

Disturbed by the Destruction at the Entrance to the Park.

Dear Bob Sacks;


Thanks for your wonderful Chronicle and its binding together effect on this community.

I've just moved back here to Copake Falls and am deeply disturbed by the huge destruction going on at the entrance to the Ore Pit park.

The state is closing parks, but for a minimum 150,000 ( my guess) they've taken out a lot of beautiful trees including the gorgeous red maple Tony Fosegan planted in the little grassy roadway divider when he was park superintendent. I'm told they are putting in a 30 X 50 building to replace the smaller properly scaled old entrance building.

Has anyone seen the plans for this new building? Will it be one of those faceless tasteless metal sheds ? Bigger is not always better.

I wish the town had some oversight on future state projects here, especially when state departments, especially EnCon are so deeply riddled with petty bureaucratic politics, re: the internal vendetta against Ward Stone, the tireless expert pathologist with so many years dedicated public service.

Maybe this could be, for a change, a useful project for the local Tea Party.

Robert Wood