To the Editor:
Beginning June 3, petitions were being circulated on behalf of Gary Levine, a Democratic candidate for Assembly in the towns of Poughkeepsie, Wappinger, Fishkill, Clinton, LaGrange and Hyde Park. If you are a Democrat and wish to see Gary Levine on the ballot in the fall, do not sign a petition for any other Assembly candidate; call 452-2366 or email gary@levine2008.com; arrangements will be made for you to sign a valid petition.
Our campaign is a fight for our seniors, working families and middle class who are struggling to stay in the Hudson Valley in difficult economic times. Gary Levine is the candidate who best reflects the values and the concerns of those of us most challenged. Property taxes, gas, health care, heating and food costs keep escalating and chronic illness continues to have catastrophic effects on family finances. Relief is needed now.
It is time for a fair deal for the Hudson Valley. It is time we had an upstate Democrat fighting in the Assembly for upstate issues like real property tax cuts, creating good paying jobs so our children can return home to meaningful careers and opportunities, affordable healthcare including long term care and responsible budgets.
Our campaign is strategically positioned to win the election based on Gary’s 50-year residency in Dutchess County, 28 years as a local attorney and established name recognition. Above all, Gary Levine is from the Hudson Valley and he is for the Hudson Valley. Please, join our campaign, www.Levine2008.com.
Susan Htoo
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
The most logical choice for Family Court Judge is candidate Joan Posner. Anyone who knows or has worked with Joan would describe her as being smart, an excellent communicator and creative problem-solver. Two other words that stand out in my mind when it comes to Joan are education and advocacy.
When I first met Joan, I was appointed to the Dutchess County Legislators’ Citizen Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence. Joan was co-chair at that time. It didn’t take me long to realize that Joan’s passion and dedication to the welfare of children was a genuine priority in her life. Because of her first-hand knowledge of the day-to-day operations of Family Court and the challenges of being able to ensure the interests and safety of everyone involved during the process, Joan would lend her expertise to both educate and guide our committee to make practical and life saving decisions.
Joan Posner has been recognized by Grace Smith House, Mediation Center of Dutchess County, Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the Battered Women’s Service for her many contributions to our community. Among her many credits, Joan was instrumental in putting together a manual for local magistrates on how to respond to domestic violence issues. She also introduced Transparenting, a national educational program, to Dutchess County. This program, which is located in Family Partnership in the City of Poughkeepsie, assists parents going through divorce on how to help their children cope with the effects of divorce.
There is no doubt in my mind that Joan Posner is the best candidate for the position of Family Court Judge. Joan already has the necessary experience. In addition, she has demonstrated for some 20 years her dedication to protecting Dutchess County’s greatest resource: our children.
Brenda S. Moore-Frazier
Hyde Park
To the Editor:
In 2001, the Town of Poughkeepsie signed a management agreement with Marist College for Longview Park located on Marist’s riverfront. This 12-acre riverfront treasure consists of parcels owned by Marist and jointly by the City and Town of Poughkeepsie. Longview Park is a public park. Current access is via the roadway off Route 9 at Marist’s main gate.
Since 2001, Marist has obtained numerous public grants sponsored by the town and city as well as Dutchess County. Marist’s Web site leads visitors to believe this park is Marist’s $3.5 million park. This park is as much our park as it is theirs.
To date, no Route 9 highway visible signage has been erected to direct the public to this publicly financed treasure. The most recent grant Marist applied for with the blessing of local officials was for interpretive signage at the riverfront park itself.
Interpretive signage will not inform and educate visitors on the history of the park and the river views if they are not aware of its existence nor directed to it. This park will remain Marist’s private park without public announcements and until such time as highway visible signage is erected.
Since Marist manages this treasure and has obtained a great deal of public monies for its improvements, Marist must ensure the public is aware of its existence. Marist must ensure highway visible signage is erected directing the public to this park completed in 2007.
Virginia A. Buechele
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
In May, I attended a Poughkeepsie Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. The meeting was held in Poughkeepsie in Common Council Chambers. I thought the meeting was very interesting and well-managed.
At this meeting I learned a thing or two about zoning codes in the City of Poughkeepsie and in general. A case that stuck out to me at the meeting was one where a City of Poughkeepsie property owner was asking the board to grant a variance for his one-family home. At the time that he purchased it, he was led to believe that is was a legal two-family home up until closing. That is when he found out it is not a legal two-family, so he was there asking the board to grant a variance to make his family a two-family home since it is already used as that.
In this case, I learned that just because a house has two of everything, that doesn’t make it a legal two-family house. In all, this meeting was a good learning experience and I would definitely attend another one.
Elijah O’Connor
Poughkeepsie High School