" LTE DF Prop. 414" Letter to the editor Andi Weiss Bartczak

 LTE DF Prop. 414

To the editor:

I find the Gardiner Library dangerous.  There are all those books.  And if you head to the back of the library, there is an exhibit of new books.  I can’t resist looking at the new books, hoping that I don’t want to check out any.  Sometimes I do check out one and I am glad that I do, despite the piles of books around my chair at home.

If I watch a show based on a book, the staffer will happily find the book, even if I don’t have exactly the proper title.  Ordering from another library is no big deal.

I needed to know what ancient Egyptians looked like for a novel I was writing.  After asking a staffer, she took me to the children’s section.  I never would have thought of that. Searching the Internet frequently doesn’t help.   I always assume that librarians know where to find   any information and I have rarely been disappointed. 

So Gardinerites, how can you not vote for Proposition 414 (at the back of the ballot) on Election Day (or Early voting), which will only modestly increase the budget of our library?

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Daily freemn

Letter to the editor Doris Chorny

How did our brand new New York State Senator, Jen Metzger (SD-42), fair during her first legislative session? She introduced 87 bills of which 75% passed with bi-partisan support.

As chair of the Agriculture Committee, Jen focused much of her concern on the fact that the average age of a NYS farmer is 60.  Below are some of the bills passed to encourage new and young farmers to establish themselves:

(Metzger S5822A) Farmers Markets in Parks is a most imaginative bill.  By allowing farmers to set up a market in state and local parks, not only are their businesses helped, but consumers have greater access to fresh, locally grown food.

(Metzger S4655) creates an Agricultural Hotline to handle concerns and questions farmers have about grants, research, marketing and finances.

(Metzger S4945) reduces paperwork as well as the money required to register vehicles used solely for agriculture. It passed both House and Senate.

(Metzger S5755) keeps agricultural property taxes affordable and makes it easier to obtain an agriculture assessment.

Brava, Senator Metzger!  You’ve had an amazing first term.

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River Reporter

"Tell Gov. Cuomo 'No' to Danskammer permit" Letter to the editor Amy Kletter

Have you heard about the Danskammer power plant in Newburgh? Years ago it was a coal fired plant, was closed and then reopened as a peaker plant using fracked gas. This means it is available to add power to the grid when needed. Sounds great, right. Well, not so much. It is located on the Hudson River and has flooded in the past.  The process itself adds pollution to the air, the water, and requires the dangerous transport of fracked gas from states that allow fracking (remember-NY banned fracking but not the transport or burning of the gas!) Also, they receive about 30 million from the government just for being ready. Air pollution, water pollution, and use of money that could be better used to develop fossil fuel free solutions to our energy needs.
Well, now the Danskammer corporation is asking to get permitted to expand to a 24/7 power facility. If permitted, they would be able to pollute to 2053, which directly contradicts the Governor's goal of net zero emissions in the energy sector by 2040. And according to experts, we don't need this polluting and greenhouse emitting facility to meet our energy needs!!!!!


If you want to see our governor work towards the goals of the climate bill, please call, email, write, sign petitions...We can make a difference-we've done it before. The easiest way to do this is to call 888-925-7006. Tell him NO to Danskammer, and to start moving to 100% renewables now! And if you want to know more, please plan to attend the New Paltz Student and Community Climate Strike on Sunday, September 20, march beginning at the middle school at 10 with a rally beginning at 10:30 in front of Elting Library on Main Street. 


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Kingston FReeman  9/8/19

"Metzger Promotes an Electric Future" Letter to editor Tom Denton

Metzger Promotes an Electric Future

If you are a New Yorker who is mulling over the idea of buying an electric or plug-in car, you should contact the office of New York Senator Jen Metzger of Rosendale and praise her for sponsoring in the last legislative session a bill, S3827A, that would exempt the first $35,000 of an EV purchase from state sales tax.  This bill sits in committee.  She also sponsored another bill, S5439, that would direct the New York Office of General Services to buy electric vehicles for state agencies whenever possible, with a mandate to have an all-electric fleet by 2030. This bill passed in the Senate and awaits passage in the Assembly.  Finally, Senator Metzger introduced S5820, a bill that requires the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to study and make recommendations about the state’s vehicle infrastructure.   Passed in both chambers, this bill must be delivered to the Governor.

Senator Jen Metzger of Rosendale entered office in 2018 with a record and a platform of strong support for environmental sustainability and for the potential of environmental programs to generate economic growth.  Her bills fulfill that promise by moving the state toward a goal of reduced emissions and by promoting smart, economical consumer choices.  Her efforts deserve our support for action in the 2020 legislative session. Soon, we might see more clean, affordable electric cars on our roads.

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Daily Freeman                      9/8/19    

"Closing Shop on Big Money" Letter to editor Tom Denton

Closing Shop on Big Money

When politicians claim the system is rigged, voters generally understand they are talking about money.  Money is at the root of corruption, waste, unfairness, and it undermines our confidence in democracy.  It especially pollutes our politicking.  Dark money sloshes through the campaign system, allowing donors and candidates to avoid accountability.  Even the political contributions that are recorded and published remind us that the wealthy have influence a private citizen could never dream of. 

Finally, this year our New York State legislature took one step to reform political campaigning and give us a reason to have a little more faith in the process.  It delivered to Governor’s desk a bill that closes loopholes for LLC (Limited Liability Corporations), requiring them to conform to the same requirements for contribution limits and disclosure as regular corporations.  LLC’s have been notorious for creating hidden funnels of money to campaigns. 

Further, Senator Jen Metzger of Rosendale sponsored Senate Bill S1013A, which bans “corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and partnerships from making contributions to political campaigns.”  In other words, wipe the slate clean. This bill did not advance from committee in the last session.

All New Yorkers who want cleaner government and diminished influence of big money in legislative chambers should let Senator Metzger know they support her bill and should contact legislators in their own district.  Let’s finish this important business.

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Shawangunk Journal           9/5/19