To the Editor:
I am writing to urge Democrats to support Fred Knapp for mayor and vote for him on Primary Day, Tuesday, Sept. 18. In May, Fred received the overwhelming endorsement of 75 percent of the City of Poughkeepsie’s Democratic Committee, of which I am a member. Since that endorsement, the question many have been asking is – why challenge a mayor who is a member of our own party? The answer is that Nancy Cozean has been a disappointment for many Democrats who supported her in the last general election. The end of her term offered us the chance to select a stronger Democratic candidate, someone we felt had the vision, leadership skills and commitment to address the many challenges Poughkeepsie faces.
The committee’s choice, Fred Knapp, is a man who firmly supports issues which are important to Democrats and all city residents. Fred believes in smart economic growth, fair and reasonable taxation, public safety, affordable housing and open, responsive government. Also important to him, as reflected in the many issues he championed as a Dutchess County legislator, is the commitment to make life better for those less fortunate. At recent public forums, Fred has detailed many thoughtful and innovative approaches to improve things which could be working better in our city and fix those things which are broken. Democrats, on Sept. 18, vote for Fred Knapp, a hard worker, proven leader and by far the best choice as our next mayor.
Jean Weinel
Member, City of Poughkeepsie Democratic Committee
To the Editor:
Saturday, Aug. 11 was a beautiful day in Poughkeepsie, and the second annual Eastman Youth Day highlighted many positives in our community.
The event was well-attended by both children and adults enjoying the petting zoo, bounce houses, dunk tank, face painter, a restored antique fire truck and amongst others, live entertainment. Currently, the Common Council is debating important ordinances that we may not all agree on – however, all eight councilmembers helped appropriate the well-spent $3,000 to show our community we care and wish to offer our youth something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Successful days such as this do not go without a lot of work. Commissioner of Parks Bobby Martin and his team spent hours preparing for the day and helped make it an organized event with relay races where more than 100 trophies were earned by our best and brightest. The Tree Department spent time sprucing up the park along with the South Avenue Neighborhood Association’s Henry Fernandez and Dave Brooks assisting with the cleanliness. Also in attendance were members of community policing to again show our police are not only present when things go wrong but also are an important part of our neighborhood when things go right. If the citizens of the 2nd Ward choose to re-elect me on Nov. 6 this year, I look forward to a successful third annual Eastman Youth Day as well. I believe in access to public servants and can be reached at 454-3139.
Erik Haight
Councilman (R-2nd Ward)
To the Editor:
As sure as summer is followed by autumn, many of us will again be in a position to cast our votes for those candidates who decide to run for public office. We are told many times why this right is so important. Many have fought to preserve this right and we (hopefully) will all respect that and get out and vote.
My wife and I have resided in this city for many years and we always try to keep informed of the many projects and actions being taken by our local Poughkeepsie government. We believe many critical and important issues will face our city. Having the very best in leadership positions will enhance our ability to make smart and cost-effective decisions. Both my wife and I fully support our current councilperson, Dennis Weinel, from the 8th Ward.
Mr. Weinel has, in the past two years, always been a person concerned with the entire city. His voting record is one that is easy to defend if necessary. His concern for all actions that take place in our city affords us citizens the very best representative we could ask for. Dennis has always been one to listen and to work very hard for the citizens of the city and for those of us in the 8th Ward. Dennis is our choice for many reasons.
Whomever you choose to represent you will only be your choice if you get out and vote. Please do that.
Mr. and Mrs. John Mihans
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor
I used to love visiting county fairs, where I’d encounter sheep, cows, goats, rabbits – hundreds of animals polished and spit-shined for the big event. It has only been in the last decade that I’ve stopped attending such fairs, disturbed by what seems to me a misleading presentation of animal agriculture. Animals raised for food have anything but the contented lives that fair producers would have the public believe, and I am heartened each time more attention is drawn to the practices of agribusiness and their impact on the health of animals, humans and the planet we share.
At the same time, I live in the real world, and recognize that when it comes to culturally and historically based habits and belief systems, change comes slowly. I might wish for the world to give up animal products tomorrow, but I know that won’t happen. Through my work and my book, I encourage compassionate people to lift the veil: to learn about the lives of animals raised for food, and to ask whether they want to continue to participate in the cycle of violence and suffering.
But bull riding? At the Dutchess County Fair? I’d love to know the politics behind the decision to include such a barbaric spectacle in a progressive community’s beloved fair. While it will take prolonged, Herculean efforts to encourage ordinary Americans to look honestly at their eating habits and the suffering they cause, those same ordinary Americans react with moral indignation at outright displays of torture. One need look no farther than the Michael Vick case. Bull-riding, a “sport” that induces bucking via painful jabs and caustic ointments, is torture.
Shame on the decision-makers at the Dutchess County Fair.
Kathy Stevens
Catskill Animal Sanctuary