To the Editor:
I would be remiss if I did not thank the wonderful people who have helped me throughout the year. First, I would like to thank the South Avenue Neighborhood Association, Henry Fernandez and Jessica Knapp. Henry got up at 5:30 a.m. on several mornings, volunteering his time to help me plant flowers in the medians on South Grand Avenue. Jessica gave wonderful “Thanksgiving Baskets” to Eastman Towers, and to other seniors throughout our city. Mr. Flowers and Jackie delivered Thanksgiving dinners to Eastman, Maplewood and Swartz. Assemblyman-Elect Frank Skartados made contributions to our senior holiday baskets and fall concert. And a secret admirer sponsored my seniors from Swartz to the Christmas Luncheon at the Grand Hotel.
I would also like to thank ShopRite, Hannaford, Price Chopper and Stop & Shop, for their donations to our King Street Park Festival and Worrall Avenue block party. And last but not least to my husband, for his fourth year volunteering and organizing “Project Thunder” for the children in our community. And for Vassar College, for giving them a new home. And for the Vassar College students for caring about our youth. Yes, it takes a village of wonderful and caring individuals to brighten and enrich the lives of others who are less fortunate. God bless you all.
Gwen C. Johnson
Councilwomen (D-7th Ward)
To the Editor:
A budget is more than just a document of expense and revenue. My councilman, Brian Doyle, and the Democratic majority of the Common Council are making further cuts to an already lean preliminary budget. The mayor’s budget will increase my taxes by a modest $33 next year. I’m OK with that. Chairman Doyle’s cuts will actually raise my taxes even further, because his expense cuts are attached to revenues and fine collection.
I support low taxes, but when cuts mean I have to pay more for outside contactors then I say it’s irresponsible. It is common knowledge that most tasks can be done cheaper in-house than by a sub-contractor. Councilman Doyle and members of the Common Council, please re-consider your cuts and do not vote to override the inevitable veto.
Jesse Sewell
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
I feel that there is one major flaw in Marist College’s security system, and that it the fact that Marist is not currently a gated community. It is no secret that the city of Poughkeepsie is not among the safest cities in New York State. In fact, Poughkeepsie comes in third on the list of cities where crime rates are highest, following the much larger metropolises of New York City and Buffalo.
Furthermore, out of 69 schools consisting of 5,000-10,000 undergraduate students in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, Marist ranked 10th in schools with the highest crime rates. Also, according to the college’s official Web site, several of the crimes occurring on campus in the past four years were committed by non-students.
If Marist installed security checkpoints at the three main campus entrances, I feel that the crime rate on campus would decrease. In this way, Marist could keep track of who is on campus at all times, and possibly prevent incidents like last week’s sexual molestation of a student. The peace of mind that checkpoints would provide for students, parents, and faculty alike are worth the costs associated with the additional security.
Maggie Kolb
Poughkeepsie
To the Editor:
First, thanks to all 200 of you who came out Nov. 16 for our Rally for a Green New Deal on the FDR Mid-Hudson Bridge and Holy Light Pentecostal Church – the Rhinebeck and Arlington High School Environmental Clubs, Scenic Hudson Executive Director Ned Sullivan, Sustainable Hudson Valley Executive Director Melissa Everett, Vassar Greens, Bard Environmental Collective, and the Hudson Valley Network of Spiritual Progressives.
It’s long past time for Dutchess County to truly become a clean, green, job-creating machine – cleaning up local air quality, saving tax dollars on Medicaid, saving money on electric bills and lowering our carbon footprint – see CambridgeEnergyAlliance.org (recall our resolution passed in June in our County Legislature for Cambridge model to be made real here).
Dutchess County should also follow the innovative example of the City of Berkeley and allow homeowners here in our area the opportunity to be part of a voluntary sustainable energy financing district pilot program to install solar panels on their roofs – the cost to be repaid over 20 years through an annual special tax on county property tax bills of those choosing to opt into this program (sign on to PetitionOnline.com/SOLAR if you agree). Note as well – we should also have similar on-bill financing now on our electric bills to make investment in renewable energy easier – as Pacific Gas & Electric has long done.
Finally, G.O.P. state legislators Joel Miller, Marc Molinaro and John Bonacic (and Dem Kevin Cahill with better plan) all propose real increases in income taxes to eliminate school property taxes – but nothing has happened yet. It’s time for a local income tax, (as in Yonkers and NYC) with the revenue dedicated to slashing county property taxes and funding things like eliminating the current waiting list for senior home care in the county.
Joel Tyner
County Legislator (D-Clinton/Rhinebeck)
To the Editor:
Mayor Tkazyik’s budget has a moderate increase, recognizing today’s economic climate while maintaining services, and nobody loses his or her job. Crime is likely to go up as more people become desperate as they lost their jobs and income. Now is not the time to terminate an attorney responsible for public and fiscal safety or cut the Police Department overtime.
My councilman, Brian Doyle, has proposed to handicap the Law Department, Public Works and Police Department, which are responsible for fighting frivolous claims, fighting crime, working on improving blighted neighborhoods and progressing economic development. These reckless cuts are counter-productive to Poughkeepsie’s success and a blatant political decision. How naïve does Councilman Doyle think we are?
Scott Sweeney
Poughkeepsie