The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Letters & Comments

Letter To The Editor – An Act Of Kindness

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To the Editor:

I wanted to publicly thank Gene Kluck of Petersburgh and spread the word of his kindness in stopping to help me on Wednesday, January 22.  My car had died on Route 22, in a particularly cold and windy spot, and he pulled up ahead of me and tried to find out what had happened.  When we couldn’t get it started, he then drove me all the way home so that I could call AAA from the warmth of my house.

It was a wonderful, selfless act, and I am very much appreciative, as I might have been frozen in place – along with my car – had he not stopped to help.

Sincerely,

Susan Womersley

Watson Road, Petersburgh

Letter To The Editor – Some Praising Instead Of Complaining

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To the Editor:

It’s easy for people do a lot of complaining but not a lot of praising!

We’ve lived in Hoosick Falls for seven years. Since Lou Schmigel took the job of Highway Superintendent for the Town of Hoosick he personally has taken my calls and solved my issues, starting on the Mechanic Street Extension, Sunrise Drive area and recently on Shingle Hollow Road after the last snow storm.

We were left with piles of unplowed snow around the cul de sac, preventing me from leaving the house. I placed a call to Lou and within 30 minutes he came with the plow truck. Not only was he sincerely concerned, he did a fantastic job cleaning a mess that was left by someone else.

We were lucky to have him. Lou, you will be greatly missed for all the help and hard work you’ve given this area.

A sincere thank you!

Dianne and Lonny Longe

Shingle Hollow Creek Road, Hoosick

Letter To The Editor – Grafton Penny Social – The Senior Place To Be

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To the editor:

I was fortunate enough to bring Helen Ellett to the Penny Social at the Rensselaer County Everett Wagar Senior Center on Friday, December 13.  The tables were full of seniors and non-seniors from Grafton, Petersburgh, Berlin and Stephentown.

The four women who worked so hard on the event did such a fantastic job. The women, Helen Petrie, Connie Alderman, Marge Littlejohn and Ruth Nichols worked for days to make the event fun for all. They were able to secure some very original and eclectic gifts in addition to providing a day of fun for the senior communities. Items such as puzzles, books, pottery, jewelry, homemade jams/jelly, Christmas decorations, cookware, crocheted afghans were just a few of the items they offered in the Penny Social.

As winners were drawn you could hear the laughter and clapping throughout the entire building. Many non-seniors also attended and joined in on the fun.

Everyone in attendance also enjoyed looking at the beautifully decorated miniature tree display. It’s so interesting to see how over 25 trees are all so originally decorated. Donna Walker should be so proud of the wonderful job she does each year with the display of trees.

The local communities are very fortunate to have such an innovative group of seniors that stop at nothing to make the Center enjoyable for all.

Thank you ladies!

Linda Laveway

Grafton

Letter To The Editor – Seasonal Beauty In Grafton

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To the Editor:

In dreary December how welcome are the festive lights in Grafton Center. The trees of the town park are aglow, the gazebo sparkles and the Christmas trees in the windows of the senior center twinkle. Amid busy lives and an even busier season dozens of people young and not so young made the time to beautify our community. Kudos to every one who participated in creating this gift for all of us to enjoy.

What a vision Donna Walker had when she conceived the notion of a miniature Festival of Trees. Thanks to all who participated by entering trees and to those who supported it with prize donations.

Hats off to the Grafton Fire Auxiliary for volunteering to spearhead the decoration of the town park. It is immensely gratifying to see so many members of our town cooperating and pulling together to create this seasonal beauty for us.

Thank you.

Anne Kiely

Grafton

Letter To The Editor – Responding To Grafton Supervisor Higgins’ Special Meeting Report

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Dear Eastwick Press,

I am a regular reader of your weekly paper. I find it to be very accurate and informative. For whatever  reason, I did not pick up the November 29  issue. My apologies.

On Monday, morning December 2, I started to receive phone calls in regard to a special Town Board meeting  held on Tuesday, November 19, to adopt the budget. The calls were  pertaining to a small salary increase for one of our part-time workers. I was dumbfounded. I was asked several times why I did not advocate for a salary increase for this exceptional worker. Totally caught off guard, I asked, “What are you talking about? I most certainly  did advocate for this individual. As a matter of fact a Councilperson made the motion and before you could blink your eye, I  seconded the motion. I also stated that no one deserves a raise more than this  individual. I was then asked, “Haven’t you read the Eastwick Press?” My response was, “No.”

Later in the day I had the opportunity to read the paper and to my horror, Supervisor Higgins stated that Board Members Marie Claus  and Rick Ungaro rejected the idea of a salary increase for the part-time worker who cleans the town hall and works at the Town transfer station. I’m wondering if Supervisor Higgins and I were at the same meeting.

I certainly don’t recall Marie Claus rejecting the idea of a pay increase for this worker. What I do recall is what every good Board member should do. Marie Claus asked questions pertaining to the number of hours worked in the  position and how it would impact the budget that the Board had just adopted 5 minutes  prior to this discussion. Also in attendance at the special meeting to adopt the budget was former Supervisor Tyler Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer pointed out to  Supervisor Higgins that he did not need to request additional funds from the Board for this very small increase. Mr. Sawyer took the time to show Supervisor Higgins there was money for the salary increase within Higgins’ own budget. The Board then approved it unanimously.

Furthermore

I find it disheartening that Supervisor Higgins would say that at the November 18 Town Board meeting changes were made to the 2014 preliminary budget  in an aggressive, speculative, rash and uninformed manner.

At the November 12 budget workshop I felt a sense of true teamwork between the Board members. I myself presented to the Board several budget line revisions. My suggestions then fell into the hands of Councilman Mike Crandall who took the role of mediator with the other three Board members. It is my opinion as a resident first and a Board member second, the Board did exactly what we were supposed to do – only take what we needed to operate by trimming some of the cushion from the budget.

I would also like to say I thought it was absolutely ludicrous that Supervisor Higgins would not allow the Highway Superintendent to speak at the workshop when asked by the Board members, particularly when he controls better than half of the Town’s budget.

In regard to cutting appropriations, here is an example –  for independent auditing and accounting contractual expenses $5,700 was budgeted and after speaking to the independent auditor at the budget workshop  this line was reduced to $3,000. Another example is control of dogs contractual expenses. In 2012 actuals were $93. Actuals through September 30, 2013 were $140 so why would you budget $1,700? After speaking to the DCO the Board reduced it from $1,700 to $1,000. So if that is aggressive, speculative, rash or uninformed I am guilty.

In regard to revenues, I find it amazing that Supervisor Higgins would use $65,000 as a projected mortgage tax revenue, particularly when that number is based on homes bought and sold and refinanced. If Supervisor Higgins knows something about the real estate market perhaps he could give his Board members a tip. In the past the Town of Grafton has used a conservative $55,000 as the projected mortgage tax revenue, $10,000 less than what Higgins had budgeted. In regard to sales tax revenue the Board was very conservative at  $205,000 when the total estimated 2013 sales tax would be close to $239,196.  With a modest 1% growth rate the total estimated 2014 sales tax should be $241,588.

As a resident of Grafton I thank the other Board members for making these revisions because none of us as Board members would have ever expected to find the $12,500 mathematical error in the budget that Supervisor Higgins presented and tried to adopt at November 18 Town Board meeting.

Aggressive, speculative, rash and uninformed, perhaps Supervisor Higgins needs to look into the mirror.

Rick Ungaro

Town Board Member

Letter To The Editor – Responding To Grafton Supervisor Higgins’ Special Meeting Report

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Hello,

I very much enjoy the Eastwick Press and would like to think that the information follows a road map that leads to accuracy. In the case of the November 19th “Grafton Special Town Board Meeting” article published in last Thursday’s paper I find there to be inaccuracies. I’m not only disappointed in the printed recollection of events but discouraged that it was included without having an Eastwick Press reporter present. The meeting was held in the small conference room; 5 Grafton residents were in attendance.

My recollection of the conversation is what I believe to be much more accurate than the article in print. Supervisor Higgins brought up the subject of a pay increase for the part time worker who cleans the town hall. He said it was based on a conversation he had with Road Superintendent Herb Hasbrouck. Supervisor Higgins claimed it would be difficult to get someone to clean the town hall for the amount they currently paid. Councilwoman Messenger made a motion to increase the pay,  immediately seconded by Councilman Ungaro. Marie Clause never stated she rejected the idea, instead she asked a few questions concerning the number of hours in the position and if the raise would be for only the cleaning hours or would it also include the part time hours on the recycling portion. The group then discussed how that increase would compare to the 1.5% increase the Highway Employees were to receive. Fortunately, Mr. [Tyler] Sawyer was at the meeting to interject pertinent information about the funds already being in the budget that would cover the small amount. After light was shed on the questions it appeared that the entire Council agreed with the increase.

At the first Budget Meeting Cathy Goyer asked why a pay increase was not included for the same part time employee that cleans the town hall, Supervisor Higgins said he had no idea and moved on.

I realize how difficult it may get for the reporters of the Eastwick to attend all meetings in multiple towns, in this case they would have heard something much different than what was put in print.

Sincerely,

Linda Laveway

16 Trail Riders Way, Grafton

Editor’s response: Obviously, we would have preferred to have a reporter at the November 19 Grafton Special meeting. To do this we needed to be informed in a timely manner about the meeting. 

The description of the meeting in the Eastwick was clearly attributed to the Grafton Town Supervisor. Publishing reports by government officials is a courtesy we have extended to officials in other towns as well. Clearly, when we do not attend a meeting we cannot vouch for the accuracy of the report of that meeting. We understand, even hope, that if there are inaccuracies the record may be expanded by interested parties, as in this case, by Laveway’s letter to the editor. Just keep in mind – we cannot vouch for the statements in this letter either.

Letter To The Editor – Sharing Wonderful Experiences

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Dear Editor,

I wanted to share with the Hoosick Falls community, as well as our surrounding towns, the wonderful experiences I have had with two groups from Hoosick Falls Central School in the past few weeks.

On November 16 I accompanied 33 students to NYC to perform at Carnegie Hall. Wow! How many people want to be able to do that in their lifetime? These 33 kids ranged in age from 12-17, grades 7-12. Under the direction of Ambigay Yudkoff, they had spent tireless hours learning songs in different languages to perform. The concert was a fundraiser for the Kate Winslow Golden Hat Foundation, a foundation celebrating love and self-expression for those with autism. They sang on stage with Tim Janis, Forte, Nathan Pacheco, Nick Pitera and Amy Petty.

The trip started at 5 am, after cheering on the football team the night before. We arrived at the rehearsal hall ready to sing and were the only group not carrying their music – they had it all memorized! There was no time for sightseeing except for the quick 20 block walk from the rehearsal hall to Carnegie Hall. The day was a bit hectic due to many last minute changes, but the kids adapted instantly. Everyone was well prepared, courteous and very professional. Our group on stage was visibly the expert; all students standing still, not fixing their hair or clothing and always having a smile on their face. Our students fully embraced the cause benefitting from their performance and were honored to be included. Even though they did not have many supporters other than close family members, they still were overjoyed to represent Hoosick Falls.

I have been the parent helper since the inception of the Pep Band in the fall of 2009. Every year our membership has grown. On November 23 I was able to take 22 of the members to Kingston to cheer on the football team at Dietz Stadium. These students tirelessly give everything they have week in and out to support the football program at HFCS. This year we had fans request that we sit near them! The community of Hoosick Falls enjoys the band; I hear nothing but great compliments on how the band makes the games more than just an average football game. I was honored to stand with the kids while they waited at the school and applauded the football team when they returned – the thought of abandoning them after a tough loss never crossed their minds!

I am also extremely proud of all the students involved in the performing arts programs. The drama department will be performing Noises Off on December 14 and 15. The jazz band played at the concourse in Albany on December 3, and all the groups will be performing for the winter concerts on December 16 and 19. On January 31 the chorus will be performing on the stage at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall with the Albany ProMusica for the fourth year in a row. Shortly after, they will be hosting international humanitarian and renowned musician Sharon Katz & The Peace Train on February 13. Sharon Katz & The Peace Train use proceeds from their concert appearances to support their humanitarian work in South Africa and other countries around the world. Their work includes music therapy with orphans and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, feeding programs in poverty stricken communities, conflict resolution work in violence torn regions and building schools and community arts centers in under developed areas.

I encourage the community to come see what talent we have in Hoosick Falls that is not on the field or the court but rather on the stage. Many of the concerts, plays and performances are rarely attended by the public at large. Just ask the jazz band how they feel at the end of a concert, only seeing family members left in the audience – their response will be less than joyful. Show your support for the performing arts today – you will not be disappointed!

Sincerely,

Joyce Brewer

TC Lane, Hoosick Falls

Letter To The Editor – The Benefits Of Community

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To the Editor:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Buckley and Reinhard children for their generous donation to the Grafton youth. Your presentation was something special to witness. It was symbolic of how children can bring a community together and restore faith in our future. My hope is these funds will aid Grafton youth to become positive role models and active participants in Grafton volunteer organizations.

In our fast paced world, it is very easy to overlook the benefits of community based volunteer services and the need to recruit new members. All too often our youth are dismissed as potential future members because they don’t fill an immediate need or the belief is their participation will be short-lived. I say, “What about our children’s needs?” And the need for them to experience first hand what it is like to become actively involved in their community or grow to appreciate those who serve in these organizations or decide on a career path. Our youth programs offer that fundamental opportunity and exposure. We may discover there is a budding librarian, historian, firefighter-paramedic or public servant living in Grafton after experiencing one of many volunteer organization programs.

It is reassuring to know the Grafton Fire Auxiliary will be sponsoring one of these programs on December 1, 2013. The description of the event at the November 18 Board meeting was enlightening. It represents a coming together of the community at large and an opportunity to reconcile our differences. There is no doubt the event will bring a smile to those who participate.

Barbara J. Messenger,

Grafton Town Board Member

Letter To The Editor – Petersburgh Seniors Suck It Up

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Mr. Editor,

I am writing to clarify a point regarding the Petersburgh budget as reported in last week’s Eastwick Press.  The 10% cut in contractual services that was reported was actually on top of the cuts already made in previous budget workshops. For instance, the budget for the Seniors was actually dropped 40% from $4,230 to $2,500.

We Seniors are willing to tighten our belts for a year. This financial crisis was primarily caused by the damage from the May storms, and, keeping it in perspective, it could have been worse. Folks elsewhere have lost their  homes, incomes or lives from natural disasters. So we are proud to suck it up and do our part.

We also stand behind our youth who took an even larger cut (from $7,665 to $3,000). We will support them wherever we can if their parents take on the task of fundraising, and we urge others in the community to do the same.

Mary Lou Walters,

President Petersburgh Sunshine Seniors

Letter To The Editor – The Importance Of The Petersburgh Library

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Dear Editor:
As Town policy makers consider difficult choices in finalizing Petersburgh’s 2014 budget, I feel it is important that Petersburgh residents understand several key facts about our Library. I offer this in the hope that this will assist our Town Board as they grapple with this year’s challenging budget process.
With a population of 1,525 citizens, the Town of Petersburgh has 864 library card holders. This means that over one half (56%) of Petersburgh residents are Library customers. In September 2013 alone, nine additional citizens received their Library cards so that they, too, can use the Library.
The Library offers reading materials, both print (including large print) and downloadable e-books, as well as audiobooks. It provides music CDs, movies, museum passes, genealogical materials, story hours, book discussion groups and programs for all ages.  In addition, the interlibrary loan service provides materials from libraries in the entire Capital District – all public libraries and school and college libraries – free of charge. Moreover, Library staff are able to obtain rare or unusual books from sources throughout the country. In other words, the Petersburgh Public Library is our portal to the nation’s library systems, coast to coast.
In 2012 the Library circulated a total of 32,503 items in addition to the 775 electronic items borrowed by Petersburgh patrons. If residents had to buy these materials, it would cost about $370,000.
Today’s libraries are much more than a place to find books and movies. We also provide high speed Internet access via our public computers housed in the Library. In one year, our residents signed up to the Library’s computers for over 1,600 sessions. Since many residents do not own a computer or cannot afford or have access to high speed Internet services, the Library provides a critical service in this “Digital Age.” For example, our residents use the Library’s computers to develop their resumes, search for employment opportunities, apply for employment opportunities, apply to college, stay informed about current events in our state, nation, and around the world, conduct personal and professional research and to do their homework. Our section of Rensselaer County remains one that is poorly served by high speed Internet access, so the Library fills a critical need for residents who need access to the vast amount of information available on the World Wide Web.
The Board of Trustees for the Petersburgh Public Library is made up of nine residents appointed by the Town Board. The Library Trustees work closely with our Library Director to ensure that the Library is operated in a responsible manner, serving the needs of our Town residents. A key part of our job is to seek outside grants and donations. Town residents are already familiar with the annual book and plant sale, but we also pay close attention to other opportunities to raise funds from County, State and private organizations. For example, some of our computers were purchased via a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We have also received grants to provide materials for pre-school story hour programs, to fund a digital photography class for youth ages 10-16 and to fund the summer reading program. Funds available via the Town are used for maintenance of the building, wages for our personnel, utility and telephone bills and for new books. We use volunteers on a routine basis to help deliver the services available at the Library, and we welcome new volunteers as well.
If you have never visited the Library, I invite you to do so. You will find that we provide many services beyond just borrowing the latest best seller. Indeed, the Library is a comprehensive informational resource for residents seeking to broaden their horizons and to advance themselves both personally or professionally.
Last year hours were changed to make the Library more accessible by staying open until 6 pm four days a week and until 7 pm on Wednesday.  If you have not yet visited the Library please come in and visit.
Sincerely,
Gordon R. Batcheller, President,
Library Board of Trustees