To the Editor:
I am a lifelong Republican small business owner living in the City of Poughkeepsie who is supporting Fred Knapp for mayor. Compare your two choices. Fred has served on the County Legislature for over 15 years, consistently being a voice for the City of Poughkeepsie, fighting for working families, children and seniors. Fred is ready to take over the city operations on Day 1.
The city can’t afford a mayor who doesn’t have life experiences or needs on-the-job training. Fred Knapp is offering bold ideas and solutions to our city’s problems. Fred is the kind of mayor we need right now. He is a consensus-builder, true leader and really cares about people. This election is so important to our city’s future. Make your vote count by voting for Fred Knapp as your next mayor.
Mike Ducey
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
I urge Poughkeepsie voters to support Fred Knapp for mayor on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Fred recognizes the strengths of our city, but very importantly, he has also studied the challenges we face. Fred has represented parts of Poughkeepsie for 16 years as a county legislator.
When announcing plans to run for mayor, Fred said, “My candidacy is about offering Poughkeepsie a new direction, a new set of priorities to address the social and economic divide in our community. For too long, we have failed to address the growing divide between those who benefit from prosperity and those with little hope of realizing the American dream. We have a moral responsibility to strive for economic and social justice for all residents and work toward closing the gap, not by burdening the prosperous but by offering hope to the excluded. This will not be easy and must be accomplished with a very sensitive eye on the ever increasing burden that taxes place on residents of Poughkeepsie.”
In public forums held this summer, Fred detailed innovative approaches to address social and economic issues – ideas to improve things which could be working better and in many cases, more cost-effectively in Poughkeepsie. For me, as a councilman, his recognition that attention and work are needed to tackle the city’s long-standing problems couldn’t come at a better time. Fred Knapp is a proven leader who cares about Poughkeepsie, and is, by far, the best choice for mayor on Tuesday, Nov 6.
Dennis Weinel
Common Council (D-8th Ward)
To the Editor:
I have seen over the years in Dutchess County many changes taking place – some good, some not so good. What I have seen is luckily that more women are getting involved in municipal government. Women, in my opinion, are what government lacks. There are more men in government, by a ratio of more than 20-1. Most women are good leaders and they are under-utilized in local and national government.
Having said this in a public forum, I would like to personally ask the voters of the Town of Poughkeepsie to retain and re-elect Pat Myers as our town supervisor. Pat is a hard-working, non-political excellent administrator for the Town of Poughkeepsie.
Many of you know me as a die-hard, conservative Republican. Pat, on the other hand, is a registered Democrat, so why would I ask you to vote for Pat Myers? Pat Myers crosses party lines all the time. She’s more interested in the proper operation of the Town of Poughkeepsie and sincerely cares about her constituents on both sides of the aisle. She’s a true warrior for the people, not the party system. Furthermore, she’s a good woman administrator.
Let’s not lose her. Give her a chance to continue to her good work.
Bob Juliano
Wappingers Falls
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to a story (“School’s open!) in last week’s Beat. I’m a graduate of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and my son attended the school for four years.
The Beat wondered how the parents of OLMC would react to the Brendon Montessori School moving into their school. I spoke to parents and we are pleased that our parish was able to help a school in need. Our grandparents and parents built the building to be used as a school.
What others need to know:
• If you know the right people (like Msg. Belford), you can cut through the red tape of the diocese to make things happen.
• The modified Montessori program at OLMC school had not lapsed. We were ordered by the Archdiocese to place materials in closets and the school was to be locked down. Mt. Carmel is to “be a viable part of the education future of the Archdiocese.”
• I’m happy that Brendon Montessori children are excited about their new space. We cried the last day of school, brought posters and rallied for our school. Someone called the police and lied, saying we were blocking traffic – we weren’t. Where was the compassionate and sympathetic pastor then?
Mt. Carmel Place has changed since WW II. OLMC school has had students from area school districts. It is not a neighborhood school as it had been. Student population was at 300 students in the late 1990s. Why the drop in enrollment after 1997? Our pastor and new parish leaders stated that our school was built for parish children. Since one-third were not parishioners and another third were not Catholic, they felt unwelcome and left. Tuition was raised 38 percent for the 2007-08 school year by the pastor and finance committee. Other schools raised tuition less than 10 percent.
Unfortunately, our school year ended without a religious service, speech or blessing by the pastor for our children.
Debra Hosier
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
I am writing to share my opinion of Jonah Triebwasser, who is currently the Village Justice and is running for Town Justice. I have known Jonah Triebwasser and his wife for several years. As a resident of Red Hook, I have personally seen his commitment and service to this town, his honesty and integrity, and his commitment to keeping Red Hook a safe and reputable town.
Many towns in New York State have had justices with little or no experience with the law. Many have done a fine job. But here is a chance for Red Hook to have a justice with an overwhelming amount of relevant education and experience. Jonah has had 5 years experience as a police officer and investigator, 27 years of experience as a lawyer and also experience as a judge. I consider it an honor that he is willing to put all those years of experience to work for the town of Red Hook.
I hope that others will have the chance to speak with Jonah, as well as his wife, Ellen, who has, in her own way, given much of herself to helping our community. You will surely see that Jonah Triebwasser’s vast experience and unquestionable integrity is right for Red Hook.
Barbara Solomon
Red Hook