To the Editor:
Mayor John Tkazyik’s complete suspension of the Common Council’s Youth Initiative Program is very discouraging to those of us who know that well-run youth programs prevent crime and teach young people positive behaviors.
Years of studies confirm the fact that the absence of constructive after-school and summer activities leads to higher juvenile crime rates. The council’s $35,000 Youth Initiative Program is actually viewed as a vital part of Poughkeepsie’s anti-crime arsenal. I agree with Council Chairman Brian Doyle’s statement that these types of programs “are critical to the city’s future.” Involvement in employment programs, sports, the arts, and mentoring keep our youth off of the streets and helps them say “no” to violence, property crimes, gangs and drugs. These programs are good for our youth, they are good for the city and in the long run, they save taxpayer money through reduced crime rates. Mayor Tkazyik’s suspension of this $35,000 is incredibly short-sighted and a disservice to our city children and taxpayers.
Dennis Weinel
Majority Leader, Common Council
To the Editor:
As a single mother of three children, it hurts me to see thousands of children across the state go without the health care they need. Joel Miller is an individual who has put much time and effort into ensuring the well-being of children. Joel has taken a stand by voting in favor of legislation that would allow 400,000 more children to have the health insurance they so desperately need.
Joel is an advocate for affordable health care for children in both Dutchess County and across the state. He is committed to tackling the challenges of ensuring that each and every child has the coverage they need to receive care, from the basics of eye and dental exams to critical emergency cases. This is because as a father, a grandfather and a health care provider, Joel Miller knows the most important thing to us is the health of our loved ones.
I am writing this to encourage my friends, family and the people of Dutchess County to support Assemblyman Joel Miller. He is a man of strong beliefs and a vision for the health care of our state; to see that no child goes without and to offer equal care to all of our children. I am lucky enough to be able to say that my children have health care, but many are not so lucky. These times are difficult, but getting health care shouldn’t be.
Please join me in supporting Joel Miller in his race for the 102nd Assembly district so he can continue his work to make our health care system more affordable and accessible for every resident.
Debra Deger
Wappingers Falls
To the Editor:
Jonathan Smith is the leader the 102nd Assembly District needs in Albany. Jonathan has shown through his years as a community organizer that he can bring people together to get things done, whether as a staff member for Congressman John Hall’s campaign in 2006 or as a co-founder of “Stop the Sprawl” working to prevent over development in Hyde Park.
Smith believes that broad-based support is necessary to bring real change to Dutchess County. Over 100 people have volunteered on his campaign to spread the message of universal healthcare, fixing the broken property tax system and to bring jobs to our community with the new energy economy.
That is why I’m proud to not only support Jonathan Smith’s campaign in the Democratic primary on Sept. 9, but also to go door-to-door and make phone calls on behalf of Jonathan.
Pamela Dwyer
Wappingers Falls
To the Editor:
I am supporting Jonathan Smith for Assembly in the 102nd District because he is the only candidate who has been endorsed by the Dutchess County Democratic Committee and by an organized labor union. And he is the only candidate who has raised significant amounts of money from Dutchess County residents.
He is also the only candidate in this race that is putting forward real solutions to the serious problems our community faces. He has presented ideas on how to create needed jobs and lower energy prices through development of a new energy economy. He has presented ideas for providing healthcare for all New Yorkers and for fixing the broken property tax system through a circuit breaker and the millionaire’s tax.
We need someone in Albany with new ideas and a positive outlook. We need someone who will bring about the kind of change we need. Join me in voting for Jonathan Smith in the primary election.
David Eberle
Beacon
To the Editor:
This fall, Dutchess County voters have an exceptional choice for family court judge: Joan Posner. A gifted and highly qualified attorney, Joan is Dutchess County’s best candidate for family court judge. As principal court attorney for 20 years to retiring Family Court Judge Damian Amodeo, Joan is unparalleled in experience and competence. At Family Court, Joan has researched a multitude of issues, drafted numerous opinions and conducted hundreds of client and attorney conferences. As principal author of the Dutchess County Domestic Violence Bench Manual, Joan has demonstrated thorough understanding of the difficult issues facing a family court judge. This manual is now a model used by judges statewide.
In addition to her strong credentials, Joan, in my opinion, has the proper judicial temperament of a competent, committed and caring judge. I was fortunate to observe Joan in Family Court first-hand. As a recent law school graduate interested in learning family court procedure, Joan allowed me to attend several case conferences with her involving sensitive and complicated family problems. Joan impressed me with her fair, thoughtful and practical manner with the litigants. In one case, she ably facilitated a custody and support agreement between parents in the midst of a difficult divorce. She exhibited effortless, encyclopedic knowledge of the Child Support Standards Act while maintaining compassion and a well-needed dose of humor.
Joan is an impressive woman on all fronts. She is a devoted wife, mother and legal professional, making her an asset to Family Court. Families matter to Joan Posner and electing Joan Posner matters to Dutchess County. I urge everyone to vote Nov. 4 and elect Joan Posner to Family Court.
Kate Metzger
Rhinebeck
To the Editor:
I am adding my support to the long and growing list of voters in the 102nd District who are backing Jonathan Smith for State Assembly. We need more positive leaders like Jonathan in Albany. We need representatives whose mission is to improve our quality of life through realistic energy solutions, more equitable property tax formulas and more comprehensive health care coverage. It is time to elect someone with energy and vision who will challenge the status quo, not someone whose message is merely an attack on his opponents.
I hope all Democrats will come out and join me in voting for Jonathan Smith in the primary on Sept. 9.
Carol Lally Metz
Hyde Park
To the Editor:
It is with great honor I pledge my support to Gary Levine as a candidate for the 102nd District of the New York State Assembly, representing the Towns of Clinton, Hyde Park, LaGrange, Poughkeepsie, Wappinger and Fishkill.
The role of public servant will not be new to Gary. As a practicing attorney, he has been helping citizens for almost 30 years. In addition to estate planning, business and real estate, his practice also includes elder law. Gary has been a consummate advocate for senior citizens. He has been an instructor of estate planning and elder law at Marist College as well as a lecturer for chronic illness support groups.
He has also served on the board of Family Services of Dutchess County and is involved in civic community organizations such as the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington Rotary Club and a standing committee member of the Dutchess County Science Fair. On the political scene Gary has worked tirelessly on congressional, county and town campaigns. If I had to sum up Gary Levine’s character I can only think of words like integrity, sincerity and trueness. These are the qualities I believe Gary’s parents, Murray and Esther Levine, instilled in him when at the age of 13, he began working at the family business, the French Boot Shop in downtown Poughkeepsie. Gary learned first-hand about hard work, respect and listening to others.
We have before us an opportunity to send an individual to Albany who will be the voice for all us. Cast your vote for Gary Levine on Primary Day, Sept. 9.
Alison E. MacAvery
County Legislator
Beacon/East Fishkill/Fishkill
To the Editor:
I have been practicing law in Dutchess County for over 40 years and have known Joan Posner since 1980 when her husband, David, joined McCabe & Mack. Over these years I have seen firsthand her dedication to our families and children and know she has worked tirelessly for Family Court Judge Damian Amodeo as his court attorney for 20 years.
In case there is any doubt, service as a court attorney is superior training for a judgeship. In Dutchess County, six of our nine current judges served as court attorneys before being elected to the bench. Judge Marlow served the Hon. Albert M. Rosenblatt; Judge Amodeo himself was the court attorney for Judges Marlow and Hillery; Judge Sproat was Judge Hillery’s court attorney; Judge Pagones served with Judge James D. Benson; Judge Forman with Judge Dolan and Judge Sammarco worked for Judge Kessler.
It is no wonder that so many of our sitting judges spent part of their careers as court attorneys – it really prepared them for the job!
Joan Posner does extensive legal research for Judge Amodeo, prepares drafts of his opinions, conferences cases with the attorneys and parties and generally is involved in all aspects of the court’s work except presiding in the courtroom. With this extensive experience, coupled with her personal dedication to issues involving children and families, Joan Posner is the best choice for family court judge.
Joe McGowan
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
As a recent graduate from law school awaiting my bar exam results, I have the distinct honor of working with Joan Posner in order to gain experience in the field of family law. This position allows me to witness first-hand Ms. Posner’s dedication, passion, patience, and sensitivity; qualities that have flourished through 20 years as the principal court attorney for Judge Damian Amodeo. Ms. Posner is now running for the position of family court judge, as Judge Amodeo is retiring this year.
As the Sept. 9 primaries are approaching, it should be asked who is best to serve as a family court judge. The job is not an easy one. Family law and domestic relations can be complex and sensitive issues. A person who has engaged in these types of family court proceedings for many years, a person who understands the law well and knows how to apply it, and a person who has the ability to solve problems with sensitivity is the right person for the job. In my opinion, Joan Posner is the right person for the job. Ms. Posner has 20 years of experience researching every type of family law issue, deciding and drafting thousands of motions, and solving intricate problems.
I have witnessed Ms. Posner bring parties together and resolve seemingly irresolvable problems. I have watched her suggest appropriate outcomes for cases based on her vast knowledge of the law. I have seen her passion for and full dedication to family law. That is the type of person I want to be sitting as our next family court judge. That is why I will be voting for Joan Posner.
Najah Zeidan
Poughkeepsie