The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Letters & Comments

Major Natural Gas Accident is Not News

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To The Editor:

“It’s the climate equivalent of the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico: the rupture of a natural gas storage site in California that is spewing vast amounts of methane into the atmosphere and is likely to go unchecked for three months.  The breach of the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage site, near Porter Ranch, has forced the relocation of hundreds of families, who complained of headaches, nosebleeds and nausea from the rotten-egg smell of the odorant added to the gas to aid in leak detection.” [Read more…] about Major Natural Gas Accident is Not News

Stakes Are High In Energy Debate

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To the Editor,

As a parent I have often spoken to my children about the difference between “want” and “need.” I am reminded of those conversations when I hear about our energy “needs.”  If we recognize that fulfilling these “needs” puts the future of life on earth as we know it in danger, it might be easier to see these as “wants.” [Read more…] about Stakes Are High In Energy Debate

Letter to the Editor

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To the Editor/Eastwick Press:

I just want to comment on this past Saturday evenings benefit, held for the Center for Rehabilitation, (Hoosick Falls Health Center to most of us).  For the first time, the “Younger Generation” put on this event – with guidance and great input from the experienced and dedicated Joyce Davis – and what a job they did! [Read more…] about Letter to the Editor

Joe Rechen Declines To Run Again For Berlin Town Justice

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To the Editor:

This letter is to announce that I will not seek a third term as Berlin’s Town Justice in November. I have served two full terms, and part of a prior, and have been able to appreciate both the Justice System and the needs of the defendants and complainants who have appeared before me. While I have no need to retire, I feel very strongly that two terms is only fair and appropriate for my service to the community, and that it is time for a new party to come forward and contribute their time and ability. [Read more…] about Joe Rechen Declines To Run Again For Berlin Town Justice

Building Inspector And Code Enforcement Official Are Not The Same

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To The Editor:

At the Petersburgh Town Board Meeting held on July 20, 2015, the Town Supervisor Sigfried Krahforst announced that the Town did not need a Code Enforcement Official (CEO), because a “Building Inspector” can do the exact same work as a CEO.  Additionally, the Town Supervisor stated that he checked the legality of this decision with the NYS Association of Towns regarding a “building inspector” vs “CEO”, and was told that a “building inspector” was preferred because “the CEO is a civil service title.” [Read more…] about Building Inspector And Code Enforcement Official Are Not The Same

Letter To The Editor- Flags

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Dear Berlin Residents and Business Owners,

In past years, the Town of Berlin has purchased American flags to be displayed throughout the Town. However, in an effort to lessen the tax increase for 2015, this item was removed from our budget. This year, we are asking for donations to purchase these flags.

Thirty flags are required to replace the flags that are now in disrepair. Flags will be displayed every year from Memorial Day through July 4th until they are no longer serviceable (about three years).

Please know that your donation of $30 will purchase an American flag, pole and bracket and help demonstrate the pride of Berlin, its businesses, and residents. Your tax deductible donation will be acknowledged in the Eastwick Press as well as at our July Board Meeting.

Please make checks payable to the Town of Berlin Flag Fund.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,

Tara Fisher

Deputy Supervisor/Town Council

June 2015

Letter To The Editor – Losing Helen Ellett

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To The Editor:

Losing Helen Ellett was a heartbreaking event in the lives of Helen’s family. Reading the article submitted by the Grafton Trail Riders was also heartbreaking. In recent years they pursued a lawsuit against Helen and her family. I believe their sorrow should have at least extended to the family with a simple sympathy card or maybe a phone call to her daughter Connie, but instead they made no effort to extend any “deep sorrow” as they wrote. On their own website they make absolutely no mention of Helen and how she had a great vision to start a riding club that she has now left to them.

Personally, I don’t believe that “Helen will be riding with them in spirit” as they wrote. She was discouraged, confused and heartbroken that a club she founded in 1947 was now sending her legal documents to appear in court over a land dispute. It was us, the family that held her hand as she read through the thick stack of legal documents, attempting to understand the reality of how The Grafton Trail Riders, what was once her passion, turned into her nightmare.

The majority of members never even had an opportunity to meet Helen as she wasn’t one of the land owners that they invited to their annual fall pig roast. She was ignored by the club’s members until this article of last week. Helen never believed in riding, camping, and campfires as they wrote – she believed in riding!

She will be missed, she will be missed by many acquaintances and by the many close friends she made and most of all by her family.

Linda Laveway

Granddaughter of Helen Ellett