To the Editor:
Did you know that the G.O.P.-led Putnam and Schuyler County Legislatures both passed strong resolutions earlier this year for paper ballot optical scan voting machines? Sadly, the Republicans who control the County Legislature here won’t even allow a resolution on this to come to the agenda for a Committee Day meeting – let alone a full board meeting; see NYVV.org for more information.
Paper ballot optical scan voting machines are much more accurate, much less expensive, take up less space, have been around for more than 20 years and almost half the counties in the U.S. use them.
Help make these a reality by contacting our County Legislature at 486-2100; there’s no excuse for the current Republican majority to reject these common-sense initiatives any longer.
Finally, the record needs to be set straight about the September meeting of our County Legislature: I am nobody’s puppetmaster; I pull the strings for no one. Though I salute the undeniable courage of those who spoke out at that meeting, the fact is that I encouraged county residents to speak politely, one at a time, when called on regarding their issues during the first public comment period – and to sit down when asked; it wasn’t about “orchestrating a fiasco.” Feel free to call 876-2488 for more information on any of the issues above.
Joel Tyner
County Legislator Clinton/Rhinebeck
To the Editor:
The 56.3 acre former Girl Scout Camp off Spackenkill Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie functions as a wildlife sanctuary, but if proposed construction starts, species are expected to move or die. The developer’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) says:
“In its current state, the project site provides habitat for a number of wildlife species. General impacts created by removal of vegetation could result in the loss of individual animal species during land clearing and construction.”
“Land clearing activities will likely cause more mobile species to relocate off site or move into the wetlands and their buffers where present, while less mobile species will be expected to be lost or to move to areas of the site not affected by development.”
“The remaining lands surrounding the Woods at Cliffdale are densely developed single-family residential neighborhoods, and, as such, will provide limited habitat for the displaced wildlife.”
One species that will be affected is the regionally rare breeding barred owl. The owl mates for life and needs the large, old-growth trees contained in this forested wetland.
You see the insensitivity and lack of regard for wildlife and the neighbors. Why should we be robbed of our natural heritage for the enrichment of a greedy few?
A Planning Board workshop is scheduled for Oct. 6. Note that workshops may be held early evening, about 5:30 p.m. While workshops are open to the public, comments are not usually permitted. To confirm the time, contact planning at 485-3657. Questions can be directed to pokopenspace@aol.com.
James L. Beretta
Poughkeepsie