GOALS FOR COPAKE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUPPORTED CANDIDATE'S GOALS FOR COPAKE

I've been observing the actions of the Republican-controlled Town Board in Copake for the past three and a half years, and I find that the Republican majority has lost sight of the needs of the residents of the Town.  We need change in Copake.  We need to avoid large tax increases and an inability to pay for unexpected expenses.  Copake now faces another financial crisis with no plan in place to resolve the issues.   We need long range financial planning as well as sound planning for the future of Copake as proposed in the recently released final draft of the Comprehensive Plan.  We do not need to act in panic and plug the holes with stopgap financial measures as they arise.

The Democratic Party supported candidates are the ones who are best capable of the kind of forward-thinking  leadership Copake so desperately needs.  They are running on a ten point platform to bring change to Copake.  Look at their plans and see for yourself:

1. Develop a five year financial plan to avoid large future tax increases;

2. Modernize our Town Hall systems and record keeping to achieve savings in money,

     time and space, and improve service to residents;

3. Assure fair and equitable assessments for all;

4. Encourage community and business participation in community revitalization;

5. Support development of Copake as a sustainable, environmentally protected community

6. Help to make alternate energy available to all residents;

7. Preserve farmland as part of our community heritage;

8. Conserve the former Copake Green property as open space;

9. Assure open meetings and community dialog, and increase public participation in town government;

10.Develop initiatives to keep our seniors and veterans active within the Town.

Say no with your votes, to the Republican approach toward governing.  Let's not repeat the mistakes of the recent past with borrowed funds and deficits in our budget.  Vote for the Democratic Party supported candidates for the Town in the November election and bring needed change and improvement to Town government.

Morris Ordover

Copake NY

An open letter to the Taxpayers & Town Board of Copake

An open letter to the Taxpayers & Town Board of Copake

At the Thursday July 14th meeting of the town board a question was asked about placing a referendum about the Copake Police Department on this November’s Ballot. This has been an ongoing request of many voters for years.  We, the Republican candidates for the Town Board of Copake strongly support our local Police Department, but we also believe it is time for the voters of our town to finally have a say in the decision of our Police Department. We are asking the town board to enact a resolution to place a referendum on this November’s ballot about the future of our Police Department. It is time for the voters to decide on this.

We only ask that if a referendum is placed on this Novembers ballot, that the voters will take the time to get all the facts about what a local Police Department means to our Town.

Jeff Nayer (candidate for Town Supervisor)

Stephen Hoppe (candidate for Town Council)

Kelly Miller-Simmons(candidate for Town Council)

What's going on in this town? I am truly baffled.

It was just a short time ago that the little pond behind the municipal parking lot was granted as a water source for the Fire Department, and otherwise left undisturbed. What a brilliant, generous, and conscientious idea. Now, I am hearing that it may be turned into a park? How about putting a couple of benches along the road and see how that goes first. What's going on in this town? I am truly baffled.

Steve "KotL" Rosenzweig

A Grand Jury Would Indict a Ham Sandwich

I congratulate Senator Saland on the legislative program he put forth. His bill requiring DNA testing should help the police solve crimes. Frank Sterling served 18 years in prison for a murder that DNA later proved was committed by Mark Christie. Frank Sterling is on of the 27 in the state wrongly convicted that was freed by The Innocents’ Project. Had a Preliminary Hearing with cross examination been held instead of having the Grand Jury indict, Christie, the other suspect in the murder, might have been indicted. The cross examination is the big difference. With a Preliminary Hearing the judge decides if a trial will take place. Chief Judge Wachtler of the Court Of Appeals said a Grand Jury would indict a ham Sandwich. That is because it is controlled by the District Attorney with no cross examination.  Keeping what went on secret originally served the purpose of protecting the reputation of people not indicted. Now the police do a prep walk for the press so it serves no purpose.  The Supreme Court has ruled the Grand Jury is not needed in State Court, but it is required by the New York State Constitution. I would like to see Senator Saland introduce a Constitutional Amendment allowing the Legislature to replace the Grand Jury. Britain, Canada, New Zeeland, Australia have all done away with the Grand Jury. New York State should do the same


Grant Langdon

It is refreshing to read about that magic in Copake

It is refreshing to read about that magic during a time when Catskill wants to be Saratoga Springs, Athens wants to be Hudson…Copake wants to be Copake.

Brad 

Where is the Road Work on 7A?

letter to the editor-


 I don't know about anyone else but it seems to me that the only indication of work on 7A,other than the demolition of the bridge, are the signs stating that there's work being done. It has been over a month, makes you wonder, does't it. 
Bruce Kuty

The Best of Times in Copake Government

To the Editor,

The best times in government occur when a great idea which has been long in its planning finally comes to fruition. We are extremely fortunate in Copake to be experiencing two such moments. Not only is the Town Board ready to consider the Comprehensive Plan, which has been three plus years in the making, but this past week saw the start of the placement of the solar panels on the Parks and Recreation Building. First of all I wish to thank Jeanne Mettler who took what began as a somewhat contentious Town Board process and brought together a wonderful composite of people. To all of you who served on the Comprehensive Planning Committee, who diligently met a minimum of twice monthly for three plus years, the reward of your labors is in our hands and I wish to express gratitude for all your efforts.  I am also excited at the prospect of being involved in implementing this vision for Copake in the coming years; a vision for which you have built the framework. It doesn't get much better than this.

The other moment of note also began in 2008 when I returned from a grant seminar at the Roosevelt Library and committed with Councilman Tompkins to diligently working to make solar panels on the Park Building and Town Hall a reality.  Throughout the process there have been many phone calls, ups and downs, grant writing sessions, and meetings. Never once did either of us believe we would fail, and one of the nice things about working so closely with a colleague is that at any given point in time one or the other can step forward to keep things moving.  Over this extended period of time both Dan and I alternately shouldered the burden of keeping things on track, whether it be making certain we hit deadlines or finding the answers to any question which might possibly be asked by those who had concerns about this project. While the journey has been long, the process was always a pleasure and to have been a participant in making something happen which will benefit the entire town is quite rewarding.

An additional reward of the solar panel process was the role it served in bringing the Town Board together.  Much as Jeanne brought together a disparate group of people to produce a cohesive and unified final document, Dan and I were able to find the common ground needed to move things forward. Bi-partisanship is a reward in and of itself, and so I would particularly like to take this point in time to thank my colleague Dan Tompkins for reaching out. Together we discovered that in reality our commonalities far exceeded our differences and that once a dialogue is begun about one subject then other discussions about other topics will soon follow. By discovering not only that we worked well together, but that we actually enjoyed working together, it became possible to accomplish much more than would have otherwise been possible in what was once a divided Town Board. So I thank my colleague, my friend Dan Tompkins for the positive experience working with him has been and for working with me to bring positive change to Copake. Your presence on the Town Board will be missed next year, Dan.

It truly takes people willing to come together, to listen to each other and to compromise to make things happen. I am grateful to have been able to be a part of this dynamic and am looking forward to all that we the people of Copake will accomplish in the coming years. It's an exciting time to be a part of local government and I am thankful for the six years of experience on the Town Board which I can now utilize in continuing this process of setting and reaching positive goals for Copake.  As I said before, it doesn't get much better than this.

Linda Gabaccia

I Stand a Luddite....Proudly

For every cell tower that goes up, light industry that constructs a new building, or historic, old train station that
gets bulldozed to make way for Lord knows what, I  become more and
more steadfast in my opposition to change, at least some kinds of change.
I am more interested in re-invogorating the existing infrastructure of downtown.
Empty existing storefronts should be filled.
Sidewalks should be maintained and maybe even lengthened.
The clock being restored is terrific.
We should, as stewards of this rural town, be steadfast in preserving what we have,
maintaining the self-sufficiency of our strong, supportive community, and taking the bolder and braver steps
to holding firm to what we already have and vehemently denying the ru-burbanization of Copake.
I have to wonder:
Does a cell tower pose any risk whatsoever to our health?
The phones themselves possibly do.
So, perhaps a giant magnet for a bunch of transmissions might too. But, I dunno. Do you?
If the EMS, Fire, and Police crews need stronger communication systems, I think that's paramount, and we should focus on that very seriously.
I have spoken to a couple of members of both the EMS and Police departments,
and I have been told that their system is independent of any cell tower that might go up.
Is there any way to boost the existing Emergency Services communication system so
they can obtain life-saving signals in a wider range of areas and not have to switch to their personal cellphones to make
possible life-saving calls?
I like the idea of the best technology for what's truly important.
Do we know what's going to be built on the south entrance from Rt. 22 after the great old train station is gone?
A storage facility that we really don't need?
An open space of simply grass and trees?
I dunno.
Are we going to start to fill-in the long stretch between downtown Hillsdale and the new library in Copake?
Probably...eventually.
None of this new stuff will ever come down again. Clearing open space for new construction allows for a domino-effect of
"since one tower is up, we might need another because I still cannot make a call from such-and-such road".
Or, "well, there's already a couple of light-industries here, and they're doing well, so we might want a couple more".
Or, "well, nobody seems to want to restore the general store and open something up in the same space, so we might want to consider
encouraging an entrepreneur to build a new store on the flats, or somewhere else".
And, so on.
I say we care for and support what we already have, fill-up the empty buildings and
explore other solutions before we crap-up another hilltop, or build out and beyond, into open space.
Let's research how to help the Emergency Services folks obtain the best possible system of communication and learn to live with some dead zones
when we are trying to Twitter our BFFs.
If someone gets stuck in a ditch and cannot get a signal, maybe someone one will stop and help them. I know I would.
I smell the signs of sprawl.
It may not happen today, or tomorrow, but it feels like it's coming and when it does, it won't stop.
If the majority of the town wants new, better, bigger and faster, so be it.
But, my fears of what might begin to happen here do make me want to stand firmer and clearer on my stance
about preserving, supporting, and maximizing what we already have.
Perhaps I stand alone.
So I shall.
Truly,
Steve Rosenzweig, King of the Luddites.

The Priority of Addressing “Downtown Copake

Bob:

As one of the other attendees at Copake’s June 4 Planning Meeting, I want to completely agree with your assessment: a Town Hall full of smart people, appreciative of being heard and eager to learn, congenial and productive.  I and what I guess are my 3,614 Copake neighbors cannot thank chair Jeanne Mettler, her committee, and the self-effacing consultant from River Street Planning enough.

I—and clearly the majority of the others at Town Hall—agree with your suggestion about the priority of addressing “Downtown Copake,” where, as another speaker put it, some remedial work on three sites may have a huge impact on attracting businesses and investment.  I am also a fan of your thinking on the power of a mixed-use theater (+coffee shop+Internet café+gallery…) as an anchor and your budget idea of more entertainment in the park.

I hope the Town Board and Supervisor can move this plan toward swift approval.  And that sufficient citizenry can rise to the challenge of populating the dozen committees that will start turning the plan into the future.

Will Maitland Weiss

Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of NY

The Great Story on the Vets’ Ceremonies

Bob-

Thank you for that great story on the Vets’ ceremonies around the County on Memorial Day. We should remember all those who served, past and present, every day because we would not have a country without Vets.

I would have been in Copake at the ceremonies too, but  I had already committed to marching in the Memorial Day Parade in DC.

Steve Savarese

Copake Has a History That goes Back to the 1600's

Copake has a history that goes back to the 1600's and no one seems to think it is important.  There is no marker for the Grist Mill Unity that ground flour for troops during the Revolution and no marker for the part played in the Anti-Rent Movement. Nothing about being part of Livingston Manor or the boundary dispute that started the Anti Rent Movement. The iron works offers an excellent opportunity for development of the  tourist industry.


If you want to appeal to the better healed you need a  historic  building  where they can experience fine dinning.  Copake needs young people to take over and new housing, such as town houses, that might help attract  them.  I note Copake has a faction that is opposed to any change  and especially new housing.


To bad they are not on board.


Grant Langdon

“Ethics Reform, Albany Style”

To the Editor:

“Ethics Reform, Albany Style” (editorial, June 7) is a sad example of half a loaf of stale bread possibly being better than none.

The Democrats in Albany, copying their timid colleagues in Washington, have allowed the Republicans (with the Joint Commission on Public Ethics) to ensure that any bill that passes is, at best, only half effective.

By crippling the enforcement parts of the bill, our “representatives” in Albany have voted for business as usual with a very thin coat of ethics. This thin coat is less than a “good first step.” It is another illustration that using ethics and Albany in the same sentence remains an oxymoron.

THEODORE S. VOELKER
Copake, June 7, 2011 

Dear Mr. Wheeler - What about The Elephant in the Room

Dear Mr. Wheeler, supervisors, other,

Thank you Mr. Wheeler for the explanation about the resolutions (below). The typo seems to refer to the wrong town in a resolution, a section of road, 7A I believe. I offered the case of the typo as an example of why the resolutions should be online, which they now are and I think it's a positive step forward. Next time, the community, who knows who, might catch something more important.

Anyway, the resolutions are not online now, so I guess they won't be on the website before the vote on the resolutions. I just assumed the purpose of putting the resolutions online in advance would be to give the public a chance to look them over, find typos, mistakes and see what's coming down the pike, to organize resistance to bad measures and come out to support things they like.

You never know what kind of expertise and knowledge there is out there in the world and keeping things open seems like the best way to tap into our talented community. Just putting the resolutions online 3 weeks before the vote and letting folks have at them will probably save the county money. Putting them online AFTER the vote is better than nothing at all but not as effective as putting them online well in advance, I would think.

At least consider putting the resolutions online in advance... and thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate the response.

On another note, since it is the elephant in the room, folks, I do have a standing request for an ethics hearing to remove Valerie Bertram from the county ethics board. No one ever said peep about it so far. I didn't say remove her. I never said resign. I said let's have a hearing. I never heard why that might not be a good idea to clear the air or stop unethical behavior, depending on what we find.

In federal court this summer, I hope to make an argument that there is systematic break down in local ethics enforcement in New York and Columbia County. I would hope we start to change that systematic failure by court order if not voluntarily.

Where is Columbia County in the morass of ethical failure we call New York? Not leading. Right now, i would submit I don't see any reason for anyone to have any faith in your ethics board. Your ethics policy is posted on the website. Aren't you also supposed to actually use it?

Again, I say I was issued a false criminal violation charge followed by the illegal hiring of a special prosecutor to pursue said charge. A citation based on pre-arranged, coordinated false charge which Valerie Bertram was likely aware of in advance was filed in retaliation for bringing an ethics violation to the attention of the chair of the ethics board days prior to the issue of the court appearance. If true, as I have just alleged, this would not be how the chair of the ethics board should react to such an allegation that someone acted unethically, or at least appeared to act in such a way.

I never said that Tal Rappleyea's possible violation was criminal. I said there was the strong appearance of a violation and asked that it be looked into. it was not. Instead, I was targeted.

If the county is unable to police itself, then the courts are the only remedy.

It is clearly a county issue. Ms. Bertram is your chair of your ethics board. She is your chair of your public safety committee. She is your (some of you) deputy majority leader.

Doesn't it bother anyone that I found a problem, $10,000 missing, brought the issue to the attention of the person who is supposed to look into this stuff, and ended up in court against a special prosecutor with me as the defendant as my thanks?

It bothers me. I think it stinks. You guys are supposed to do something about it and you're not. That stinks too.

it is illegal to report financial mismanagement in Columbia County? All of you supervisors think this is fine?

Sorry, but I'm just not pleased about it. There is no way this is supposed to happen. You seem to hope I will just go away.

You know, I pay you guys a lot of taxes. You are not supposed to stand there and watch me get abused by the chair of the ethics board. Its totally outrageous and I'm pretty disgusted.

Is this all okay with you guys? Police harassment, like that business with Martin Roby? Lying to police that you have budgetary control over? False criminal charges? Special prosecutor? Pressuring cops to lean on political opponents? No accountability? What country is this?

Do you ever draw the line with one of your own?

Are you going to make me sue the county in Federal Court? Don't make me. Do something about this.

Open government, accountability, seriousness in ethics, honest invoices: seems like this stuff should be rather clear. But do get back to me and let me know where I may have missed something. Or let me know when my hearing will occur.

Thanks again for putting the resolutions online. Thanks for putting the ethics policy online.

A couple of positive steps...

Best,

Will Pflaum

Copake is a Connected Community Again

Bob:

Thank you so much for the Copake Chronicle. Thank you for saying such wonderful things about Elinor Mettler and thank you for your tireless efforts to help the town get back on track. It is a wonderful place and with a communication tool like the Chronicle it feels like a connected community again. It is great to know what is going on in our town. 

Joan Miller

Somebody Has to Say Something

Mr. Sacks:

If it wasn’t so serous I would have laughed out loud when I read Supervisor Crowley’s letter in the Chronicle. Here is a man that shows no understanding of government, and has the audacity to use the L word in a letter to the editor. That he would mention the word lie, borders on unbelievable to me. The same man, who lied to get into office telling the town about a totally fake tax increase, his misleading the town with his total lack of keeping office hours as a supervisor, and now he totally misses the opportunity to inform the public about the new bridge project and public safety questions. Now he wishes to act wounded, when you suggested he didn’t communicate well to the public about an important town situation. It is just amazing. My real hope is that it will be fixed in the next election cycle.  I work at night but I hope to get the time off to come to town hall and speak my mind. Somebody has to say something about this. 

John Vezzo 

A Luddite-Type Letter Advocating No Change in Copake Whatsoever

Dear Mr Rosenzweig

It is rather ironic that just before the Planning Committee presents their take on the future of Copake, you write a Luddite-type letter advocating no change whatsoever. While apparently written in the context of the cell tower, it was expanded to cover and express satisfaction with every element of our currently deteriorated Copake Hamlet. I cannot agree that our problems are caused by the current economic slump. Over the past 25 years, I have watched our Hamlet center decay almost to the point of no return. In their current condition these empty buildings will never fill: A former General Store with a deteriorated roof and recently rat infested. A former bar with a suspended liquor license. The yellow submarine aka Tyvex Palace with Health citation for a leaking septic and non-code wiring  plastered all over the second storey exterior. A junk yard on the towns southern exit. And more.

If these are the elements of rural charm that you insist on preserving, you are welcome to them. However many of us hope for a revival of Copake led by the efforts of our Planning Committee.

Leonard Ladin

Request From The United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties

Do you know why people contribute to the United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties?

It is because they share the “core values” of the UWCG with their own values:

1.            Helping children and youth succeed

2.            Strengthening and supporting families

3.            Building vital and safe neighborhoods

4.            Supporting health, independence and vital services for seniors

So  people who donate are contributing to their own values.

In 2011 the UWCG funded 37 programs in 35 agencies that met these impact areas .

The UWCG has a fund raising event planned each month in 2011: a Catfish Derby, a Motorcycle Run,

and “Hands Connecting Lives” connecting Greene County to Columbia County with 1000+ people across the bridge!

To volunteer or participate call Brad Poster, Director at 943-1813.

Brad Poster, Executive Director

United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties

P.O. Box 52

Hudson, NY 12034

518-828-4200 Office

518-755-2155 Cell

www.uwcg.org

The Safety of our Children on our Roads

Bob;

A quick note of thanks for the Copake Chronicle. It is an extraordinary publication that I look forward to each week. The news, the humor and the insights that go into the political process of our town is wonderfully put together. Where do you find the time? 

I strongly agree with your editorial of last week. The citizens group lead by Ms. Dipiri have legitimate questions about the safety of our children on our roads and especially on the bridge. I agree that just because they might have a shoulder doesn’t mean that they are safe for the community to use. What will the speed limit be? We still don’t know about the signs and the markings on the road itself.  Without the Chronicle I would know nothing about this project?   Thanks again and please continue to fight for our safety.

Janet Hanson  

Inaccurate and False Accusations

Well Bob, once again I am forced to respond to your inaccurate and false accusations. In your May 12th issue of the Chronicle you wrote that the new Brown's dam bridge did not have accommodations for bikers or pedestrians. When I pointed out to you that the plans for the project had been in the Clerk's office for almost a year you started your play on words. Yes, I did tell everyone that the "study" was there for everyone's inspection. Let me ask you this, when an engineering firm does a study, don't you think they would at least need something to study, such as construction plans? Several other people, including Planning Board and ZBA members, understood this and came in to look at the plans (study). Last year you were the one who brought up the issue of the effects of the construction on the integrity of the dam. Did you bother to look at the plans (study) to answer your questions then? NO. Had you taken the time you would have seen the the incorporation of the wider shoulders to accommodate bikers & pedestrians.

    I'm by no means a trained journalist but I do remember my junior high school english classes where I was taught that before you write something you need to verify all your information. When you heard rumors that there was no accommodations for bikers or pedestrians did you verify the information? NO.Did you look at the plans(study)? NO. Did you contact me to ask about it? NO. Did you contact anyone at County DOT? NO. Did you contact anyone at Clough Harbor? NO. You simply wrote your article based on false and unverified information.

    Now let's tell the rest of the story. You attended the May 11th Board of Supervisors meeting in Hudson. At that time I shared with you a copy of a letter that I had just received that the Chairman had sent to our EAB chairman. You read the entire letter. In that letter Chairman Brown pointed out the accommodations made for bikers and pedestrians. Yet when you published your article the next day you made no mention of this information that was shared with you. Why? You did not even, at the very least, include a post script to your article that you had received additional information the evening before.

    On May 14th you sent, via email, a copy of your article to Chairman Brown with the comment to him that it was published before his letter came to your attention.

 That Bob was an absolute lie. You had knowledge of the Chairman's letter prior to the start of the May 11th BOS meeting yet your article was published the next day, May 12th. If and when you ever become Supervisor, is that how you plan to conduct yourself, lying to the Chairman?

    You are correct when you say there was a lack of communication in this matter. It happened when you published another article that was based on rumors, misleading, inaccurate and unverified information. You have once again done a great disservice to your readers.

Reggie Crowley

Supervisor

Some Thoughts about Elinor Mettler's Passing

The news of Elinor Mettler’s untimely death came to me as a shock –– and with an aftershock when I realized that we had been acquaintances and colleagues for some thirty-five years!   Our earliest connection began in the ‘70’s with the Roe Jan Historical Society.  A highlight was the historic church tour marking the Nation’s Bicentennial, and with that the creation of the Roe Jan Community Choir under the baton of Newell Jenkins.  

 

Despite my relocating to California, we stayed in contact and, in fact, had been in active correspondence only a few weeks ago.   Elinor had a profound influence on me and on my late wife, Marion, who had a significnt professional relationship with the Dr. John Mettler.  All who knew Elinor owe her deep gratitude for the multitude and abiding contributions she made to the community.   She was, indeed, the ‘great lady of Copake’.

     

Howard Ennes