The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Letters & Comments

Letter To The Editor – A Complaint

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To the Editor:
The Town Board meeting of Thursday [Monday], Oct. 21, goes well beyond disappointing. What Supervisor Higgins did to myself as well as other tax paying residents was reprehensible as well as unprofessional.
During public comment I would expect Town residents to have the ability to ask questions or make comments pertaining to the operation of our Town. During public comment as I began to speak I was interrupted not once but twice by Supervisor Higgins. He sarcastically informed me that there would be no answer to my question, I would only be allowed to comment. Astonished, I made my comment regarding the meeting minutes not being uploaded to the new Town website and why the Board is not following Resolution #54 that was put forward in 2012 authorizing the agenda to be posted seven days prior to the meeting – voted 4-0 in favor. Currently a blank agenda is posted to the website the afternoon of the Board meeting. Needless to say I was never given an answer. Others went on to ask actual questions. Supervisor Higgins choose to answer the questions from certain people while others were not even recognized at all. Connie Alderman raised her hand on several occasions to comment, and Supervisor Higgins never recognized her and subsequently adjourned the meeting while hands were still raised during public comment.
Following the meeting Supervisor Higgins informed me that residents must come to his office if they have any questions concerning the Town, he will not answer in a public forum. Furthermore, Supervisor Higgins said he is contemplating ending public comment entirely. He said that there are individuals in the audience he does not wish to answer questions for, therefore all residents will be treated the same and he does not feel obligated to answer questions from Town residents at Town Board Meetings.
What type of Town Leader is at the helm of our forefront?
Linda Laveway
Trail Riders Way, Grafton

Editor’s Note: It may interest this letter writer, and others, that State law does not require public comment at Town Board meetings and that the comment period is at the discretion of the Supervisor.

Letter To The Editor – Correcting The Record

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To the Editor:
As part of this fall’s election campaign, false statements are being made about the Grafton Assessors office which need to be corrected. Let’s set the record straight.
My salary and my clerk’s salary were set based strictly on our experience, proficiency and knowledge. There was no increase in salary for extra work related to a revaluation and no agreement to complete a revaluation by 2012.
When formulating the 2011 budget, there was some talk about a revaluation, and some money was put into the contractual line of the budget for data collection in case we were able to get started on a revaluation during that year. We did not get started that year because the Town Board did not authorize a revaluation that year, and the money budgeted for data collection was never spent. Allegations that money was wasted or that my Clerk and I accepted money for work that was not done are baseless and irresponsible.
The Assessors office cannot begin work on a revaluation until the Town Board passes a formal resolution authorizing it. A resolution authorizing a revaluation was not passed until a few months ago, at the July 8 meeting this year.
My Clerk and I are honest hardworking people serving the Town of Grafton, and we ask that political statements about us stick to the facts.
Sincerely,
Craig Surprise, Grafton Assessor 2010-2013

Letter To The Editor – A Reply To Mrs. Catherine Goyer

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To the Editor:
Mrs. Goyer presented a dismal picture of our Town website in last week’s issue of the Eastwick Press. Unfortunately she did not tell the whole story, so here is the rest of the story.
After being appointed supervisor in late March, I was informed by Town Board Member Rick Ungaro (in May) that he no longer wished to participate in maintaining the existing Town website. The Secretary to the Supervisor, Mr. Joseph Allain, volunteered to step up and fill the vacancy created by Mr. Ungaro. In short order it was determined that any updates to the existing site needed to be passed through the owner of the website. (It should be noted here that the website Mr. Ungaro set up was not owned by the Town, hence the $500 set-up fee and ongoing monthly charges.) This third party involvement caused needless delays in postings and resulted in continuing expense to the Town.
Mr. Allain approached me about creating a new website that could be controlled from the Town offices, I discussed the idea with the Board members individually and received no negative feedback. I then told Mr. Allain to proceed with the project. In less than a week he set up a new website. The cost to the Town was merely his time, no set-up fee and no update or monthly fees. This website is now maintained by Mr. Allain. Postings can be made immediately without involving or waiting for a third party action.
This new website is a work in progress. Mr. Allain is currently awaiting the Town Board minutes which he will post when he receives them from the Town Clerk. The changeover of the website was announced at the August Town Board meeting and again there was no negative feedback from any Board member.
The new website is located at www.townofgraftonnny.org.
Please visit the site, inspect it and call the Town Hall to give Mr. Allain any suggestions you may have for it; please remember it is still a work in progress.
I must also address the quote that Mrs. Goyer used when she wrote that I said, “It will be looked at when we have the time.” She failed to mention the rest of the sentence which was “We are very busy right now straightening out the mess left by the previous administration.” I believe that most of our Townspeople are aware of the numerous problems left over from that administration.
I would like to ask Mrs. Goyer to turn all her wonderful energy away from negativity to productive projects thus aiding in moving the Town forward. Cathy can be a very capable force, and she could be a real asset to the Town and our people. C’mon Cathy, let the chip fall off your shoulder and work as part of the team.
Thank You,
Frank Higgins
Supervisor, Town of Grafton

Letter To The Editor – Transparency In Grafton?

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To the Editor:
Roadblocks are bountiful in Grafton! Except they are the type you can’t see with your eyes. For months possibly years, residents asked the Town Board to start a Town website. Finally under the direction of Supervisor Ray Darling in 2012 the Town had their website, managed by Councilman Rick Ungaro through a Board approved web designer. Start up cost for the first year to the Town was $500 and was now down to approximately $20 a month. Pertinent information as well as information required by law such as tax rolls, meeting minutes, legal notices, etc were posted.
Now step in appointed Supervisor Higgins who announces at the August Town Board meeting that the Town has a new website being managed by his secretary to save the Town money. This website wasn’t approved by the Board; the decision to do was made solely by the Supervisor without formal Board approval. No new Town Board minutes have been added to either site since Councilman Ungaro stopped managing the site in May. In fact, the original website has been closed and none of the minutes were moved to the new site! By New York State Town Law and by ruling of the Committee on Open Government, governing bodies are required to post minutes 2 weeks after meetings are held. Prior to our original website, our Town Clerk always did her job by posting the minutes on the board outside the Town Hall but since the creation of our website, they need to be placed on the web as well. This should be a priority of the Supervisor and all the Board members to see that all citizens of our Town are informed about what is going on with our Town government. If you are disabled and can’t get to a place to read the minutes where they are posted, you are being discriminated against by the Town of Grafton! This has been brought to their attention many times. The last response from the Town Supervisor on this subject was, “It will be looked at when we have the time!’ I didn’t realize we only have to follow the law when we have time! I didn’t realize we can discriminate against the disabled if we don’t have time to follow the law! I didn’t realize we can keep the public in the dark about what is going on in our Town because we don’t have the time to follow the law!
If the current Town Councilmembers were truly for “open government” and “transparency in our government” as their political signs around town state, then why wouldn’t they be doing something about getting the Town minutes on the Town website so the public could be informed?
Please demand that your Town officials keep us informed!
Catherine Goyer
Grafton

Letter To The Editor – The Animosity Is Stunning

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To the Editor:
This political venue is certainly bigger than me. The level of animosity between parties is stunning. Why am I involved; a lifelong Republican running on the local Democratic platform in Hoosick Falls? Not many are asking that or where I stand on issues. This community certainly has issues worthy of debate.
Most notably, the Town government is run by the current Town Supervisor. Now this is not a personal attack on Keith Cipperly. Keith is not a bad man. However, the mantle of office has exposed certain serious challenges he faces of his own accord:
• Treating people with respect, especially if they have a different view.
• Taking criticism without a punitive response or bullying.
• Running Town meetings according to public open meeting laws.
• Being divisive and non-collaborative.
Keith is a hardworking person. I suggest that his governance of our Town Board does not represent well the spirit of the people of Hoosick. The ends do not always justify the means, especially when we seem to be more fractured and divided than most ever remember.
We have a proud tradition here. True, we are struggling economically, and we need to be strong, smart and tough. But, we can also have optimism, collaboration and fellowship. Hoosick people are equal to any elsewhere. Our young people prove that every day and in every venue.
Recently, the Town employees decided to unionize. They did this to protect themselves from a heavy handed Supervisor who felt he would change their health care without telling or asking either them or the Town Board. This single act will likely make any of the recent claims of fiscal accountability less than moot. At the last Town meeting, the Board felt unsure about the ability to purchase an $8,000 lawn mower for the upkeep of the Athletic Fields. Their uncertainty was due to not knowing just how much the newly unionized Town crew was going to cost. As a taxpayer, I can say that I am not happy to think that we cannot afford a new lawn mower. Fortunately, the good Village of Hoosick Falls is mowing the Athletic Fields for us.
I do not believe that these hardworking men really wanted a union. Unfortunately, they needed one to protect themselves from unfair and uncourteous treatment. Add in the disgraceful treatment of Bill Shiland Sr., a good, honest, public servant of more than 25 years. How does the public feel about the treatment of Mark Surdam? He continues to behave professionally and even with kindness as he is called names in public and behind his back. He is being openly slandered by people with less character than he in public while consistently and steadily working to bring some sense and civility to the Hoosick Town Board meetings. If you voted for Mark Surdam last election, you are being denied your representation on the Town Board because they have shut him out of regular correspondence.
If the Supervisor and his supporters do not like what you have to say, they simply close the door. Talk to any of the people who up until recently were Town of Hoosick Republican Committee Members. Add to this that Keith directed Charlie Filkins to stop videotaping the Town meetings. Now he claims that we cannot afford to share Town business on the public access channel.
We wish to have government of, for and by the people, not just the people we like or always agree with. This is what we, as responsible adults and citizens have as a duty to those who follow us. There is so much more to the people of Hoosick than fear, hate, division and economic challenge. We need better leadership here.
I am proud to stand behind Mark Surdam in this election. His character has shown through in the face of enormous adversity. He is a fine candidate for the Town.
To again answer the question my wife lovingly keeps asking me, “Why are you doing this David?” My answer, “I will pay forward the kindness shown a little Hoosick boy by names of families such as Pine, Baker, Seifert, Harrington, Laporte, Mahar, Cipperly, Martinez, Brownell, Bilson, Cottrell, Sura, Roose, Corbett, Leonard, McGovern, Bugbee, Holbrook, Stempek, Chapones, McGuire, Marsh, Magisano and others. My glass is full as a result of those kinds of people.” Would some be foolish enough to ask me whether I care what political party they belonged to?
What kind of community do the people of Hoosick want? What kind of Town government? We need to come together as a community. Together we can do much for Hoosick. There are many who are relying on us to do so.
If you disagree with me, it is okay but feel free to discuss, debate and voice your concerns; this is the U.S.A.
Sincerely and Thankfully,
David A. Sutton
Wilson Hill Road, Hoosick Falls

Letter To The Editor – Unwarranted Political Agenda Or Bona Fide Concerns?

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To the Editor:
In reading a letter to the editor of The Eastwick Press by the Petersburgh Town Supervisor on August 30, there was some concern as to whether “statements about the Highway Department and other offices were made public just for the sake of elections.”
Statements about townspeople made publicly by Town officials and reported in news media in a Town Board Meeting can always be tricky, particularly when it involves a local business owner who finds out there are concerns that have not been directly addressed.
It is wise to discuss issues with your elected officials as suggested in the Petersburgh Town Supervisor’s letter to the editor. In fact, I met with Siegfried Krahforst earlier in August to discuss my thoughts, concerns and desire to run for the Town Highway Superintendent. I shared with him many of the concerns addressed to me by Petersburgh residents while campaigning for the position.
One such concern I addressed was why the Petersburgh Highway Department is purchasing material from other places when we have a local supplier. As a long time heavy highway superintendent, I have had the pleasure of working with many municipalities across the state. The process is simple – requests for bids are publicly advertised, competing companies submit bids for specific projects and/or materials and the lowest bidder is given the contract. Most municipalities also request pricing for specific equipment and hourly labor rates pertaining to emergency or unforeseen circumstances.
It is my understanding that our local supplier was the lowest bidder and was awarded the contract to supply the sand, gravel and stone for Petersburgh. Ethically speaking, this low bidder protocol should be followed eliminating any bias or personal preferences.
As a community, we all need to work together to ensure that we are spending our limited tax dollars responsibly. Asking questions and being informed while attending the Petersburgh Town Board Meetings the third Monday of each month is a great way to reinforce this process!
Gene Kluck
Johnnycake Hill Road, Petersburgh

Letter To The Editor – Love And Respect

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Dear Editor:
“Love And Respect One Another.” These are the words on the gravestone of world famous sculptor Jose DeCreeft who lived from November 27, 1884, until September 11, 1982, and who spent his summers on Fog Hill Road in Hoosick. His grave lies behind Saint Mark’s Church next to Wood Park in Hoosick Falls.
It bothered me in  some way to see some of our young people climbing on his gravestone and monument during the last concert of our Hoosick Falls Community Band season. I made an announcement asking them to stop doing it but to no avail. While it is hard to read the inscription on the stone it is clear the intent of the structure. It was also brought to my attention (since my back is to Main Street [when conducting]) that some young folks also climb on the newly constructed monument to the fallen service men of our community. In my opinion these acts should not be tolerated by us.
While audiences rise to the playing of our National Anthem, some young folks do not while others salute the flag during the performance. I even noticed a gentleman in a wheelchair, and with great difficulty, rise to his feet.
Probably the fault might lie with those of us who do not stress the importance of respecting that which others have built to honor others for all in the community to enjoy. While there have been awful acts of terrorism there has not been a war on our shores since the Civil War and for that we are thankful and should honor those who gave that supreme sacrifice and for whom the monument was erected.
It is my hope that the leadership among our young folks will show the others the proper way to conduct themselves and that will result in the end of the vandalism on the bandstand and the lack of respect for all that has been given us and this will provide for a better tomorrow.
Bill Gaillard, Director
Hoosick Falls Community Band

Letter To The Editor – Just For The Record…

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To the editor:
In response to recent allegations made about the Town Highway Department not purchasing gravel from O’Donovan Sand & Gravel: the fact is, over the past few months the Town has spent $32,722.00 to date with another bill pending from O’Donovan Sand & Gravel. Statements about the Highway Department and other offices made public just for the sake of elections or any other reasons are unwarranted. The Town Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor are available to discuss any questions or concerns the public may have at any time.
Siegfried Krahforst
Petersburgh Town Supervisor

Letter To The Editor – Making Fun?

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To the Editor:
Regarding the August 16, 2013 article “New Lebanon Town Board Action – Unreality Show,” the fact that current New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson makes fun of so many things – like my asking about his refusal to follow NYS law by not posting his Town Board meeting agendas on our Town website and other concerns of his constituents – is just one of the many, many reasons why some of us will be voting for Matt Larabee for Supervisor on November 5.
Trina Porte
Planning Board Member
Canaan Road, New Lebanon

Editor’s Note: At the last Town Meeting Supervisor Benson said about video recording the meetings, “It would save me from having to correct Trina Porte at each meeting.”

Letter To The Editor – The Martinezes Make A Difference

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To the Editor:
How do you compile a letter of sincere appreciation and thanks to a couple who have made such a huge impact on this community?  How do you possibly put into words how much Dr. and Mrs. Martinez mean to all they have treated, the many families they have delivered a child for, saved a loved one, held a hand and wiped a tear over the countless years of their practice?
We all have stories we could tell of the way this wonderful couple have changed our lives, saving my son, Matt, as a baby during birth, saving my daughter, Stephanie, three times during her childhood, and I’m sure there are many in the community who have similar stories.  They say behind every man is a good woman. In this case beside this great man is a great woman with a kind word and that beautiful smile.  What a perfect team they have made and continue to make.  Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but please know for all you do, have done and continue to do for all of us, you are appreciated and highly thought of. It is only fitting that this honor [Health Care Leadership by SWVTMC] is bestowed upon you.
Our community is a much better place for having the privilege of Dr. and Mrs. Martinez amongst us.  They will never have to ask the question of themselves that many of us do, “Did we make a difference?”  Absolutely, they did, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
We are most fortunate and blessed to have you.  Thank you.
Respectfully,
Stan and Robin Brownell