To the Editor:
As a resident and taxpayer of the City of Poughkeepsie, it is with great pleasure that I take a moment to express my support for Councilwoman Gwen Johnson. I have known Councilwoman Johnson for several years and have had the privilege of working alongside her this past year in an educational arts program for children. Her dedication to this community, particularly our children, is extremely admirable.
She is a woman of great capacity and deep compassion. Her vision of the future for Poughkeepsie is informed by her credo to lead by example, implement her tasks with great determination and hold high standards of excellence for herself and those around her. I admire her outgoing personality and the ability to get things done in a timely manner. Poughkeepsie needs this professional community leader to continue her support of our children, our parents and our teachers, thereby keeping this historically rich gem of a town moving in the direction of unity, progress and abundance.
Thank you.
N. N. Ewing
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
The time of revelation is here – how well the community will pick up on this opportunity – only time will tell. Right now, Gwen Johnson, Common Council candidate for the 7th Ward, is under investigation for illegal acts – no one questioned Ellen Staino’s signature on a petition for Bob Creedon to be a candidate for the one school board seat – Mrs. Staino’s endorsement of Mr. Creedon was and is a violation since she was president of the Board of Education and therefore should not have participated. This action was never questioned and Mr. Creedon went on to win.
Ms. Johnson is being retaliated upon as the result of her belief and action to inform the community – which is a demand and expectation as a Common Council member. Mr. Jeff Baker has requested that his investigation hearing for misconduct be made public – now this community will hear more information that was once kept behind closed doors. Mayoral candidate Fred Knapp is speaking throughout the city about possibilities and positive actions that can occur when he is elected. The time is now for the City of Poughkeepsie community to participate in attending school board, Common Council and public gatherings to improve this community.
Make a resolution to have programs that are effective for our community, jobs and recreation for our youths and unity to protect our senior citizens with communication that is equitable and accessible to everyone. Lateef is not just a word but an action of unity and social awareness that cries, “No justice! No peace!” For all of those who cried when Lateef died and had so much to say when he died – I ask you to please come out and save this community. Leave the shelter of your churches, distractions and televisions and help our community that we all are invested in.
Denise Bolds
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
There are people who say apple growing in the Hudson Valley is dead, or darn near. They cite the growing number of farms transmogrified into McMansions as substantial proof. And while it appears that regional apple growing is in a free fall, with orchards being turned into bad architecture faster than you can say Red Delicious, farmers persevere by being innovative, creative and persistent.
Here in Stone Ridge, we have our own little 200-year-old orchard called, not surprisingly, Stone Ridge Orchard. When I began farming this piece of land eight years ago, I worked with what I had in front of me. I knew changes had to be made, and so orchards were replanted. We even diversified to other fruit crops to ease the transition from old orchards to new orchards. Yet, we didn’t go far enough or allow enough time, and so its future is now in doubt.
As debate begins over the future of Stone Ridge Orchard, it is important that everyone place this farm in proper historical perspective. In doing so we shed new light on the value this land plays in regional food production, as well to who we are as human beings, and the valuable role open space, clean air, scenic vistas and great-tasting food have in our collective presence on this planet. Today, we have an opportunity staring us in the face that will only come once: to protect this viable, productive, working farm for future generations. The greenest thing anyone can do is to see that our working farms stay working.
Mike Biltonen
Stone Ridge Orchard
To the Editor:
The parade ordinance which is being considered by the Common Council, with its massive restrictions, is “déjà vu” of pre-civil rights era legislation, reminiscent of Selma, Ala. What’s next – the police attack dogs, the high-pressure water cannon? And let’s not forget the electric cattle prods. Who’s going to be the new sheriff in town – Cozean, Tkazyik, Marquette, Chief Knapp? The other Knapp is opposed to this above ordinance, much to his credit.
This council previously manifested its latent racism by not allocating part of the PILOT monies from the Admiral Halsey building to the Poughkeepsie public school system, of which the student body is 85 percent minority.
This ordinance once again has a tint of racism, i.e. if a teacher is walking his or her class to the Bardavon for an event without a permit, or for any outdoor sporting event, will the participants and the spectators be subject to arrest? That’s just to mention two examples, and there are many others, too many to enumerate on this page.
This ordinance is an attack on the Constitution, of the right to assembly and free speech. If this law is passed in its present form, it will be sued in federal court, once again adding to the tax burden – a stupid law pushed for political expediency.
Constantine “Gus” Kazolias
Poughkeepsie