Rural Charm Does Not Involve The Recreational Shooting Of Horses

To the Editor:

The Indian Summer glow of this past Columbus Day weekend was incredible and I enjoyed spending the weekend outside with my dog and horses.  Unfortunately, two incidents marred this wonderful weekend and I wanted to share them with the readership of the Chronicle.

Incident One:

I live on Snyder Pond Road in West Copake and my family has been in residence there since the 1960s.  The road has changed over the years through development of new houses, farms being shuttered and fields being replaced by houses.  It’s always been a quiet road; however, the Brown’s Dam bridge closure has brought marked and unpleasant changes.  First, it was the increase in traffic.  Apparently, our little road has become the direct line to the Copake Transfer Station.  Saturdays around here become a regular autobahn and people have little to no respect for the residents of our once quiet street.  People in their haste to get the trip to the dump over with hurtle down the street with little care for the pedestrians, wildlife, bicyclists and equestrians that are out enjoying the peaceful and quiet nature of the road.  While outside with my dog, I began to notice that things were not right on my little road.  First, there was the McDonald’s bag, its contents strewn along the side of the road, and then there was the six pack of empty beer cans dumped out together, the three vodka bottles, candy wrappers, clothing and other refuse.  I was sick to my stomach.  Since when did it become okay, appropriate, common place and accepted to use the side of the road to dump your garbage out of your vehicle? 

Rather than complain, I went back to the house and got a couple of garbage bags.  My dog Benjamin and I walked both sides of the road and collected garbage:  other people’s garbage for ¼ mile.  I would have gone farther, but my bags were full and my heart heavy.  I felt like the American Indian in the commercial from the 70’s riding a horse along a freeway littered with debris and garbage and a tear in his eye. As a child I truly believed that that would never, could never happen here in a small town like Copake, I was so wrong.  People the next time you go through the fast food drive through or pick up a drink at a convenience store, do me a favor and wait until you get home to dispose of the litter.  The side of my road (or any road) is not where it belongs.  It is unacceptable to expect others to clean up after you and if you are “adult” enough to drive a car, then do me a favor and be adult enough to throw your trash away in a trash can. 

Incident Two:

Facebook has indeed become the preferred way to keep in touch even in the small little town of Copake, New York.  So I was especially interested to see that my friend Heather White’s status on Monday, October 11, 2011, was regarding one of her horses, Luna.  There was a beautiful shot of Luna in a lovely field of spring grass, underneath the caption read, RIP Sweet Luna.  This horse was young, just nine years old.  How could she possibly be gone?  Heather owns Rocky Meadow Farm on Yonderview Road in Copake.  I was shocked to learn that on Sunday, Luna was found dead in the pasture adjacent to Yonderview Road.  Heather bought Luna last December as a birthday present to herself at the Heritage auction in Massachusetts.  Heather fell in love with the black and white paint horse and when her price did not rise above the meat buyers’ price, she knew she had to save this mare.  Although slaughter is no longer legal in the United States, horses are routinely purchased by kill buyers who ship the horses to Mexico and Canada where they are slaughtered for human consumption in Europe and Asia.

Luna had been grazing in the front pasture all weekend with three or four other horses.  It is believed that sometime on Sunday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, someone shot the horse with a rifle.  Luna did not struggle and apparently died where she was shot.  It was not an accident.  It was a deliberate and criminal act motivated by god only knows what.  This was not a hunting accident.  It is duck season, which requires a shotgun and birdshot.  Luna was shot intentionally, with malice and with the motivation to kill a horse. 

We live in Copake, New York, the land of rural charm.  Well, I’m here to tell you that part of the rural charm does not involve the recreational shooting of horses, pets, cows, sheep, goats or any other animal.  People should be able to turn their horses out without fear that they may come home to find them dead in their field or merely wounded by someone on a thrill seeking mission to shoot and kill something.  I am not a gun owner, yet I would never deprive a responsible person from owning and shooting a gun.  Responsible people do not kill harmless and defenseless animals for sport.  

Friends of Heather White have banded together on Facebook and other outlets to fundraise for a sizable reward to hopefully bring Luna’s killer to justice.  The reward is growing as we get the word out there.  In just one day, it has grown to $1350 from the generosity of people, many of whom do not know Heather White or Luna.  If you would like to pledge money toward the reward, please email Kate Thurlow at srfrescue@aol.com. 

The reward will be given to the person or people who come forward with information leading to the arrest of the Luna’s killer.  If you have information regarding this crime, please contact the Copake Police Department at 518-329-2727.

I truly hope this criminal act was an isolated incident and not a sign of the times.  I was truly touched by the outpouring of contributions to Luna’s reward fund.   As a final note, I wanted to share a quote, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” —Mahatma Gandhi

I want to thank Bob Sacks for providing the Copake Chronicle as a means to disseminate information in our small town. 

Sincerely,

Hilarie L. Thomas

It Is The Old Boys Club in Copake

Dear Commissioner Nayer:

I see lots of bluster and no admission of guilt in your letter. Has there or has there not been any public minutes for the Police commission? I believe that there has not been any, because I looked on the town’s web site. There is no excuse and you can’t blame anyone else but your commission.  To do so is ridiculous.

You did or did not hire a commissioner’s son for the Copake Police force and didn’t tell anyone. In your letter in the Columbia paper you admitted that you did.  There is no excuse and you can’t blame anyone else but your commission.  I hope the public understands what has happened here. It is the old boys club that has been in existence since I was born here.  I have never liked it and I hope we finally see a change in this town.  It is time for Copake to wake up and smell the stagnation. 

Joan Keller

Wildlife, Cars and a Quiet Rural Setting

Dear Bob:

I wish to bring to the attention of your readers a particular concern of mine: wildlife and cars.  As a 20 year veteran wildlife rehabilitator, it pains me each and every time I find a wounded or dead wild animal at the side of the road.  This is hardly necessary in such a lovely and quiet rural setting as we are blessed to live in.

 

At this time of year, and in the weeks to come, there are several "wild" behaviours that motorists should be aware of.  Squirrels, bluejays, chipmunks, and other small animals will be dashing across roads to collect the harvest of wild nuts and some berries that fall upon these death-ways.  Please, take your time getting to your destination and watch for these animals darting hither and yon.  They are, essentially, grocery shopping - you wouldn't want to be run down by a maniac driver at Shop Rite, would you?  Additionally, in weeks to come, hunting season will be in full swing.  Many deer flee from the sound of guns, and flee they do over our roads, please be aware of areas where they commonly cross the roads, and try to slow down in those areas.  Also, as the buck deer begin their rutting season, let's just say they are blinded by love (and hormones) and not always aware of traffic.  A buck deer flying into your windshield can seriously harm you and other drivers.  BE AWARE.  Also at this time, animals like opossums, raccoons, and smaller game are foraging and trying to store up enough fat for the winter.  Try to be kind, and not turn them into road kill.  Migrating birds at this time of year rarely cause traffic interactions, but some do take off low from the sides of the road, so try to be aware of your surroundings as you drive.

Finally, we come to the predators: the coyotes, bobcats, bear and mountain lion (yes one has been spotted in Philmont!)  Do NOT leave out cat and/or dog food, and don't leave these out either on a screened-in porch.  A hungry predator will not stop at a "barrier" such as your front door if there is the smell of food about.  If you feed feral cats, try to move the location to a more clandestine area away from your front or back door.  And be aware if you allow your dog(s) and/or cat(s) to roam free: they could become someone's lunch.  These predators are not doing anything that we, also predators, don't do: they are trying to survive, but now they are doing it in a world more and more inhabited by these strange two-legged beings who apparently, don't like or trust them.  BE AWARE and PLEASE CARE about wildlife.

Finally, if you have a wildlife emergency or problem, do not assume that there is no help to be had: there are many rehabbers in our area, and you can get a list from the DEC.  If you accidentallt hit an opossum and it isn't dead, the answer is not to run it over two or three more times!!  That is cruel and inhumane.  BUT - you can call a rehabilitator.  If anyone needs my help, please contact me at 325-1415, but please also get the DEC list in case there is someone closer to your location.  If you get my machine, leave a message.  I am always here, but cannot always get to the phone in time.  Injured animals should be approached with caution - and it help if you call a rehabber and stay at the scene so we can find you on a dark night.  If you have a blanket in your car, you can throw it over the injured animal for warmth and to protect from shock and stressful eye contact.  Again, for more info, feel free to give me a shout.  Hoping this is useful to folks out there.

 

Very Drooly Yours,
Morgana Washington

Facts and Opinions Regarding Political Issues

To the Editor:

Bob Sacks deserves our thanks as well as congratulations for producing such a thorough and informative publication. Local news has been a vacuum since the demise of The Independent, and The Copake Chronicle has provided needed relief, turning a desert into an information oasis.

Like anything new, the Chronicle has changed and grown beyond its already solid foundation. It has become the "go-to" source for goings-on about town and the immediate surrounds. It has returned a voice to the local populus.

It's a shame that some are deriding the Chronicle as merely a stump platform for political commentary. The Chronicle is so much more than that.

However, like any other legitimate periodical, the Chronicle does publish facts and opinions regarding political issues. Like it or not, politics is the vehicle through which we elect people to represent us, who in turn are entrusted to make the policies which govern the Town. No where are the effects of politics on our everyday life more evident than in a small town. Decisions made on that level affect the condition of our roads and bridges, police protection, our children's educations.

Washington and Albany don't care if there is a junk yard on every corner, if the local environment is endangered by the actions of a few, or if we can't use our cell phones in our own town.

But we do. And in order to safeguard the interests of these issues, and many more, we select folks to represent us locally. The process of choosing those people happens to be a political one.

We all lead busy lives. Most of us don't have time to attend town board meetings or serve on committees. The Chronicle is a valuable source of information about important issues, and brings to attention to what might be missing in that information.

Some of the characteristics of a good newspaper are that it maintains a high standard of journalistic integrity as it provides information, provokes thought, and allows for the vox populi to discuss the issues. The Copake Chronicle is all of that.

The explosion of subscriptions speaks for itself.

The Chronicle has plenty of room for opposing opinions. It is a venue for your voice, too--not just Bob's.

If you see something in the Chronicle that you don't agree with, do something more positive than going around mumbling negativity. It's not helpful. Instead, write a letter. Offer to be a guest editor. Write an op-ed. Provoke some thought.

The Chronicle has earned its high standing among the news and information outlets that have emerged with the expansion of the internet. I look forward to its appearance each week in my inbox. I enables me to be a more informed citizen, and I hope it continues on ad infinitum.

From the border of Hillsdale and Copake,

Rose Aulino 

The Truth about the Copake Police Commission

                  

Once again I find myself having to respond to an editorial by Bob Sacks in his Copake Chronicle. This time it is about “The Secret Police of Copake”. I feel the readers of the Chronicle should know the true facts & not the misinformation Mr. Sacks likes to distribute to his readers. First off there is no such thing as a Secret Police Commission. The Police Commission meets quarterly as the website says unless there are no issues that need to be addressed. The Town Clerk is notified, a public notice is put on the appropriate board in Town Hall & an official newspaper (which the Town Board designates in January) is notified. It is not put in the paper as a public notice because the Town Board voted to keep costs down & only certain Boards need to officially advertise. Mr. Sacks should have known this, as he is a Town Board member. Next Mr. Sacks states that before the Crowley administration the Police Commission met openly and monthly and always posted the minutes of their meetings. But if you look on the Copake Website you will see that the last time any minutes posted were in 10/2006, when Councilwoman Gabaccia & Councilman Ritchie were Commissioners. If you read those minutes, you will see the Commission decided to meet as needed & not monthly. If no minutes were posted since then, are we to assume that the commissioners at that time did nothing for 14 months or had secret meetings while under the then pre-Crowley Democratic controlled Board? Mr. Sacks also writes that I am the head spokesperson for the Police Commission. I am neither Chairman nor spokesperson, but am a Citizen that constantly attends board meetings, & when an issue with the police comes up I am then asked about my knowledge of it. Am I not allowed to give an answer now without being labeled? As Mr. Sacks knows there are 3 Commissioners, why then does he always only email me & not the other Commissioners when he has a question? Obviously he has assumed that I am in charge, when in fact I am not. Finally, any young man or woman can inquire about a career in law enforcement and request a ride-along to see the inner workings of a career possibly being pursued. Some do in fact inquire about this to many other Police Departments. Last spring there were two young men who showed an interest. They met with the Police Chief (who happens to run the daily operations of the PD) were interviewed by him, and were granted permission to ride along. The Town Attorney was contacted, a waiver was signed and the insurance company was notified, all legal & allowable. This is not in any way a training program, as Mr. Sacks would like you to think, it is an informational program only. Councilman Tompkins & Councilwoman Gabaccia inquired about this & were satisfied that the proper steps had being taken. If Mr. Sacks was so concerned, why did we not hear from him? And yes one of the young men happened to be a current Police Commissioner’s son, but should he not be allowed the same opportunity as anyone else in a non-paid status? Unfortunately, the other young man changed his mind and we were unable to assist him. Ride alongs are not something any Police Department advertises and neither do we, this is a selective process that the Police Chief goes through with the person of interest to see if they would qualify after they have inquired and are interviewed by him.

So, Mr. Sacks, no secret or back door meetings, no more posting of minutes from the previous Police Commissioner’s meetings, no nepotism, and no, I am not the chairman for the Police Commission.

Once again Mr. Sacks you have managed to print an editorial without getting the true facts and have done a disservice to your readers by giving them more misinformation in your paper.

Finally if minutes haven’t been posted for over 5 years, why is it an issue with you now and one that has not been bought up before? I can only assume that this is a politically motivated editorial to mar my reputation as a fair an honest person during my campaign for Town Supervisor.

Jeff Nayer

Seeking Volunteers to Help Save the Historic Octagon Home

Dear Contractors/ Community Residence,

In recent weeks, a handful of community members have expressed their desire with volunteering to help another long time resident, Helen Mang of 193 county rte 7A Copake, NY 12516 with repairing and painting her historic octagon home.  Helen is an elder, single woman, that does not have the financial, or physical ability to properly maintain her home.  In an effort to preserve Copake, and its historical homes, we have decided to help.  Upon closer inspection of her octagon home, it has been discovered that the building has several areas where the wood is very moist, rotten, or no longer exist where it should. We all know the importance of a sound solid structure, before beginning a big painting project. We are seeking the help of local carpenters/community members with examining and repairing/painting this structure.  Since this is a volunteer project, we would appreciate any community service that you are willing to give.  Efforts are under way for gathering the material needed for the job by donations from various people within the community, as well as utilizing resources outside the community. If you would like to participate or donate please contact me at the number provided.  

This project originally started with a generous man, named Dan Posser, that volunteered his time to mow Helen’s lawn, and clean up the debris/shrubs around her home. This gentleman made a big difference to our community.  If all of us could follow in his footsteps, and help to preserve this old, historic octagon home, our community would be a much better place. 

The scraping and painting project of this historic octagon home will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11- Oct. 23.  Time: 9:00-4:00.  All volunteers are welcome to participate.  If you would like to join us, please call me or email me.  We have a sign-up sheet.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

Ruth Thomas 

Copake Community Cares c/o Ruth Thomas 189 Rte 7A Copake, NY 12516 518 329-0364 Email ancramcamp@fairpoint.net

Thanking both Political Parties

To The Editor:

I would like to go on record in thanking the Copake Chronicle and both political parties for showing smart restraint when it comes to placing political signs in Copake. There seems to be only a few idiots, who can’t or won’t behave in following the rules of the town and additionally show some respect to their neighbors.

I won’t mention his name, but the owner of the house on 22 should know better. 

J. Miller 

A letter of thanks to Copake Falls:

Dear Neighbors:

When the Copake Falls Day Planning Committee met for the first time in the winter of 2007, we never could have imagined that four years later, it would take three single spaced, typewritten pages to name and thank everybody who participated in and contributed to Copake Falls Day 2011.

So with the deepest possible gratitude, the Copake Falls Day Planning Committee takes this opportunity to thank each and every person who made the day possible:  To all of our neighbors in Copake Falls who made available their gardens, backyards, front lawns, storefronts, driveways and more, please accept this most heartfelt thank you.  To Bill Gregory and his incredible Highway Department team, where would we be without you?  To virtually every business in Copake Falls, Copake and Hillsdale - your support of our event with prizes for our raffle and chance auctions allowed us to put the icing on a delicious cake.  To all our local vendors, farmers, crafters, horsewomen, face painters and road runners, thank you for making Copake Falls Day unique!  To the artists, musicians, playwrights, local authors and pitmasters whose special presentations book-ended a wonderful day, our deepest thanks.

We hope you’ll all join us again on Saturday, August 18, 2012 for the Fifth Annual Copake Falls Day.  We can’t do it without you.

Sincerely,

Milbrey Zelley on behalf of the Copake Falls Day Planning Committee

A More Consistent Practice of Open Government

Dear Editor

The Copake Chronicle has frequently urged more consistent practice of open government. Because town law focuses so narrowly on forbidding the assembly of a quorum of any committee or board outside of called and advertised public meeting, a very important benefit of open government is often overlooked. I suggest shifting focus from what should not be done to what should be done.

By talking to each other about pending cases or issues, pairs of committee and board members can clarify both their own tentative positions and areas in which they need to increase their information and understanding. That process, which is characteristic of conscientious members, can benefit the town by leading to wiser decisions. The manner in which ideas are generated, however, is less important than what becomes of them after they are formed. Critically important ideas may well originate with a minority or bare quorum of a board or committee; deliberation by all members, however, is typically the means by which good ideas are brought to full fruition. It is that process of full and open discussion that should always take place in public meeting, not in private collaboration. Having the opportunity to hear that discussion, Copake citizens can understand the basis of board or committee decisions and recommendations, and so provide support for governmental action.

We should bear in mind John Stuart Mill’s illustration of the value of having one’s ideas questioned or challenged. The challenger may present a valid and valuable idea that I can incorporate in my improved proposal. If I find no such source of improvement, I shall, in the course of defending my idea, have gained appreciation of its merits.

All members of Copake boards and committees have a local constituency. When any one of them is ignored or shunted aside, full democratic representation is denied to a portion of the Copake populace. To be as productive as it ought to be, a board or committee meeting should be a learning experience for all present, whether members or audience. Respect for each, including opponents, can only benefit all.

Respectfully submitted,

Mac Simms

Broadband - $75 billion in new Capital Spending

The President projects that the Federal government can raise $27.8 billion over the next decade by auctioning off wireless spectrum, something wireless carriers eagerly want the government to do. Under Obama's plan, $10 billion of this money will pay for an expansion of the Public Safety Broadband Network and to build out wireless broadband to cover 98% of the nation.

"Recent data shows that making additional spectrum available for wireless will lead to 500,000 new jobs in America," said Jonathan Spalter, chairman of the non-profit wireless industry think tank Mobile Future, in a written statement.

A report that Mobile Future released in August spelled it out: "Building on previous studies, we estimate that the reassignment of 300 MHz of spectrum to mobile broadband within five years will spur $75 billion in new capital spending, creating more than 300,000 jobs and $230 billion in additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The release of an additional 200 MHz of new spectrum after five years will create an additional 200,000 jobs and increase GDP by an additional $155 billion."

Plus the study said the economy would benefit from a "spillover" effect. Companies like Apple, Google, Qualcomm and small application developers would boom as they created new mobile broadband applications to be carried upon all that ubiquitous bandwidth. Here's wishing wireless and jobs for all.

Shirley Ripullone

Is Fracking Safe?

Please plan to join Kathy Nolan from Catskill Mountainkeeper to find out "Is Fracking Safe?" this Saturday, Sept 24th at the Roe Jan Community Library.

Fracking is one of the most important issues facing New York Sate in the next 3 to 6 months and this is your chance to learn what the issues are. So we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn about fracking.

Regards,
Shirley Ripullone

The History of Early Pollution of Political Signs in Copake

After reading last weeks article by Bob Sacks about the early pollution of political signs in Copake, I thought a history lesson about how this came to be would interest the readers of the Chronicle. Like Mr. Sacks, when I first ran for office in the 2005 election, I inquired about the correct time to put out my signs. Researching our zoning code, I too found a 30-day law on the books about political signs, which I was happy to comply with.

I remember also that in the 2007 election, for the most part, even though a few county politicians had their signs out, the Copake candidates stayed within our town’s 30-day ordinance.

But then in the 2009 election something changed. In July, Town Justice Brian Herman, running for re-election, put his signs out & questions were brought up to Town Board members about our 30-day law on political signs. In an email to the Town Board dated August 13, 2009, Morris Ordover president of the Copake Democratic Club stated it was illegal for us to enforce this law, as it is unconstitutional. This email was read at the September 12, 2009 Copake Town Board meeting under correspondence. A copy of this email is available at the Town Hall (Copake Town Board meeting of 9/12/2009 minutes). Subsequent to Mr. Ordover’s letter came more early political signs for Councilman Gabaccia, and yes also Councilman Sacks. Following the lead of the Democratic candidates, the rest of the candidates followed suit.

 Now, this takes us to present day & Mr. Sacks’ article asking to go back to our 30-day law. The law was interpreted as unconstitutional by the President of the Democratic Club, and therefore the Democratic candidates did not abide by it. Now Mr. Sacks wants to go back to the way it was. Readers of the Chronicle, please realize that once the laws are challenged & not abided by, it is hard to go back to them. I personally have no problem living within our local law about political signs, but maybe there should have been a little more thought and consideration given by Mr. Ordover & the candidates in the 2009 election about the legal right verses the right thing for Copake.

 Jeff Nayer

A Great Reflection of this Town and Magnificent Countryside.

Hi. I'm writing to thank you for publishing the Copake Chronicle.  I think it has addictive content and I'm charmed by both the look of it - such great placement - and so refreshing - which is a great reflection of this town and magnificent countryside.  The Chronicle tells the important stories.  Junk-free reporting that I look forward to.  The thought and the care you put into this evident and appreciated.

 

I've passed the Chronicle on to other folks, just as it was sent to me from an admirer of yours who has been enjoying it for years. He's a pretty smart guy who lives in Copake.  He knew when he gave it to me that I don't live in Copake and was wise to realize that it wouldn't matter. I'm glad he passed it on.

One of these days I hope to thank you in person. I'll bet you're fun to talk with too. 

 

Polly

E. Taghkanic

An Inspiring Event at Camp Pontiac

Dear Roe Jan Library People,

What a beautiful event you sponsored on Saturday night. The food was WONDERFUL, the auction fun, and, after passing Camp Pontiac for almost 10 years, it was nice to finally go inside. It is really inspiring to see how hard so many people are working to make the library a great educational and cultural center.

Thank you!

Lois

Thanks to the Electrical Crews from Michigan

I second the motion to have the town thank the crews that helped us after the deluge. I certainly would like to thank the electrical crews from Michigan. We had wires down and I watched their work which was efficient and totally professional. If someone has the name of the company and a mailing address, I would like it so I can personally send a letter.

Having said that, I also want to note that the Copake Outpost of the County Highway Dept were equally effective in clearing the road following the incident near my house. I've already written to their management to thank them for their good work and effective operation.

Thanks,

Ian Jarvis

Copake

Signs are Polluting Copake

To The Editor:

I have been fed up with the white and red signs around town for a very long time. They are ugly and serve no purpose whatsoever. It has been years and no one has done anything about them. The crisis is long gone and yet the town is still polluted by these ugly signs. Why? Aren't there any laws about this?  And now I see that the Republicans are polluting Copake and have started to put up election signs three months before the election.

The old Supervisor told me that the town had a law that you couldn’t put up election signs until 30 days before an election.  Now that the Republicans have put up signs, I’m sure the Democrats will do the same thing.  Please, Please  Please,. can’t we wait and not pollute the beauty of this town.  Show some leadership and take down your signs and follow Copake's laws.  

J Miller

The "Junk Yard" South End of Town did not Fare well from Irene.

Hi Bob,

I just wanted you to know that many of us in the "Junk Yard" South end

of town did not fare so well from Irene.  I think that Copake has been

negligent regarding the over flow from the creek to the south end of town.

Thanks again for all the wonderful work you do to keep us informed.

Thanks to all the people of Copake who made it possible for us to evacuate

to town park and helped us.  The Fire Dept., Copake Police, Reggie, Hank and others.

I hope you will help us so that many of us in south end of town will not have to

evacuate as the overflow from the creek is very preventable and manageable.

Thank you,

Kathy & Alan Friedman

Is this a Judge?

To the editor: 

My name is Timothy Smith. I’m a stonemason and I train young people who are often under-served in having access to learning skill trades. I was outraged after reading in the Register-Star Thursday August 25, 2011, front page article: DROPPED FELONY CHARGES RAISES QUESTION. Here is why. Audra Jornov’s exhaustive investigating, found in Claverack Town Court in Jan 2011, that Town Judge Charles Hoag reduced the felony charges for a white  male 20 year old, for speeding 18 miles over the speed limit on the Taconic, possessing 4.7 grams of marijuana. Ian Cross, gave the arresting State Trooper Adul Weed a, false, freshly printed driver’s license, and he had the printing equipment in the trunk. Judge Charles Hoag reduced all of these charges  to PARKING ON THE PAVEMENT. Last week I went down to Claverack Town Court and spoke to Judge Hoag in the presence of Beth Cozzolino’s ADA. I had given one my 20 year old male, for his birthday, dinner at one of four great restaurants in Philmont. He got a $125 fine for seat belt violation while in Philmont. Kevin Clark is African American and works hard for wages. That was his food money for the month. I went to the Claverack Court, in person, to ask to please reduce the fine. Both the Judge and the ADA said that BY LAW they cannot reduce it. I had taken $25 a week out of Kevin’s pay. They lied to me. Since Beth Cozzolino is running for Columbia County Judge, this is everyone’s business. I call on her to immediately account for the $10,000 check that was issued to the County on behalf of the 20 year old defendant Ian Cross. It is obvious what he was doing with the printing press and the marijuana. It is not obvious what happened to the $10,000. We need to know how honest a judge she will be. Beth Cozzolino has a reputation of really sticking it to poor, defenseless young people. Why doesn’t she treat young people with wealthy families and expensive lawyers the same way? Is this the kind of Judge we want to elect in our County? Is this fair? Don’t we want a non-partial, non-corrupt County Judge?

Timothy Smith

SGEIS on Hydrofracturing

Hello Bob:

I love reading the Chronicle, even though I live in Craryville.  It connects me, a disabled adult, with the community somehow.

 

I want to bring to the readers' attention the following: The DEC is prepared to release the SGEIS on Hydrofracturing (FRACKING) any day now.  It will be downloadable at the DEC website.  However, they are only allowing a 60 day comments period from the public!  The text is at least 1000 pages of techno-speak that the average Joe/Jane will have to slog through to comprehend the full meaning in order to be able to respons with cogent comments.  Please petition the DEC to expand the comments period to 180 days.  For those who are unfamiliar with the fracking process, be sure to get to Roe-Jan on 9.24.2011 3-5pm to see Gasland the movie.  And while we don't expect that fracking will be done in our immediate area, it has concerns for ALL NYS residents, not the least being: how do the deep drilling processes used in fracking affect the stability of the Atlantic Plate - you know, that huge plate under our feet that rocked and rolled in August, producing the largest earthquake in NY since God was a boy.  (OK, I am exaggerating...)  PLEASE everyone: bone up on the fracking procedure(s) and understand what it means to our state.  Thank you.

 

Yours,
Morgana Washington

The Roe Jan Library Annual Gala

 TO THE EDITOR:

As president of the Board of Trustees of the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, I want to invite  everyone who can do so to attend our annual gala on Saturday, Sept 10, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Theater at Camp Pontiac in West Copake, NY.

            The proceeds from this fund raiser will be used to improve every aspect of our service to the communities we serve: Ancram, Copake and Hillsdale.

            This year's event is especially important. Times are tough for many in our service area. Many are out of work, many more are experiencing difficulty paying their mortgages or rent. Its precisely in times like these that more people that ever take advantage of the library's resources -- to log onto the Internet, to apply for unemployment insurance, to search for jobs, to access training materials to start new careers, to attend our many free programs and workshops, and to increase the love of learning and reading among their children and grandchildren.

            To meet the increased demand, we have added staff, opened our doors on Sundays so that we're now open seven days a week, and added many free programs and events for adults and children. Plus our wonderful corps of volunteers is working even more hours than usual!

            The gala promises to be a great evening. It includes a musical performance by Broadway stars Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley, live jazz with the George Mandel Jazz Quartet, delicious food from more than 30 area restaurants and caterers, and a live auction with Copake Auction's Mike Fallon. Items include producer seats (and backstage tours) for The Book of Mormon, The Lion King and Mary Poppins, a Vermont ski vacation, an overnight trip to Foxwoods with a professional tournament poker player, oil paintings by HM Safer and Dennis Wheeler, dinner for six at Rao's famous NYC Italian eatery and many more.
           

If you don't have tickets yet, there's still time to purchase them, either at the library, or online at

www.roejanlibrary.org. And remember -- every penny we raise benefits everyone who uses our library.

            Thanks again for all that so many of you do for our community!

Howard Van Lenten

President, Board of Trustees

Roeliff Jansen Community Library